Anniversary 紀念日 (2015) – Hong Kong

Reviewed by: Andrew Chan

Directed by: Patrick Kong

Screenwriter by: Patrick Kong

Starring: Stephy Tang, Alex Fong, Loretta Lee, David Siu, Louis Cheung, Leila Tong

Patrick Kong finally delivers in the last film of 2015. An unique display of restrain and maturity is seen throughout the film. The new generation commercial pairing of Alex Fong and Stephy Tang started 11 years ago in 2004 and this year’s decade long “Anniversary” is surprisingly realistic, away from Kong’s usual overwrought undertones of “love” and presenting real characters and life situations that made this film, by far Kong’s most assured and best film of his dogged career. Save for the final twist as Kong cannot resist as usual, the film contains genuine moments, emotions and even something to say about modern love and marriage.

Alex Fong’s acting career is kind of in line with Patrick Kong’s films. Fong have been stuck in a decade long of routine and love-struck roles one after another and usually utterly non relatable and immature. Here, he displayed a level of restrain and sensibility that make his character convincing. His chemistry with Stephy Tang is undeniable and while their past corroboration relies on this single commercial aspect, here their interactions, arguments, differences and subtle moments translates wonderfully onscreen. Tang delivers the better performance of the duo and her tough onscreen person and subtle hidden smile carries the film throughout. Perhaps the scene stealing performance goes to Louis Cheung once again, whose in the limited screen time is able to switch between comedic moments and the highest point of genuine emotions in the film. Bob Lam simply chews scenery in his joyous role and the eagerly awaited couple reunion of Loretta Lee and David Siu (TVB hit series classic Greed of Heart) rounds out the sentimental proceedings. Leila Tong gives a wonderful raw performance and her death video is surprisingly effective.

All in all, Anniversary manages to exceed the usual low expectations of Kong’s filmmaking career. The film deals with real issues facing modern romance and marriage. Kong have always have a hack of marketing his film better than the ultimate product and where in the past, he fills his film with overlong music videos and repetitive flashbacks, this film shows enormous improvement and restrain to be different. Fong and Tang may not be the best actors around, but their genuine chemistry and ease around each other, is probably as close as Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng of our generation. I remember lamenting Kong for his lack of taste and ability in his last film “Return of the Cuckoo” and for that I am forced to eat the humble pie. Great way to end 2015 Hong Kong cinema.

The marketing for the movie was really hype, spectacular and showed great promise for it.. I would say it was probably one of the best tech movies out there this year. Superb shots that showed how far a hacker can go in the real world when given the right tools. I did notice him buying from some companies like Amazon and using services like Google and Salesforce who both had cameos. Anyways, the director did a great job in capturing what the essence of a hacker really is. (Neo 2015)

Recommended film and endorsed by HK Neo Reviews.

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