"Leaving Me, Loving You" shows a startlingly beautiful Shanghai through a touching love story.
This romantic movie that chose Valentine's Day to release, however, has an ordinary plot. It begins on a chilly day, when doctor Qian (played by Leon Lai) and public relations manager Yue (Faye Wong) break up in a trendy noodle restaurant. There are no tears or fighting. The end of the 18-month-long love is as plain as a glass of water.
After two months, they meet again at the home of an 80-year-old rich man, Meng. Yue's hired to organize a grand birthday party for Meng while his private doctor, Qian's duty is to make sure that the exciting activities won't affect the old man's health. Complex feelings rise in the hearts of the two former lovers.
Upon watching the film, many will not be able to avoid comparing it to Lai's 1997 hit, "Hong Kong Love Affairs," in which Li Xiaojun (Lai) and Li Qiao (Maggie Cheung), both from the Chinese mainland, fall in love in Hong Kong. After a 10-year separation, they happen to meet again in New York's Chinatown, both depressed over the death of Chinese singer Teresa Teng and awash in the sweetness of one of her songs that they enjoyed and sung together.
In "Leaving Me," Lai continues as the similar character, with his trademark gentle eyes, sexy voice and hesitant personality.
"Many people who like 'Hong Kong Love Affairs' will ever have such an experience," says Lai on the 88th floor of the Jin Mao Tower for the film release last Friday. "But maybe in this film, they will find a familiar experience. When director Wilson Yip and I enjoyed tea on a November afternoon in 2002, we talked about love and decided to make a romantic movie different from 'Hong Kong.' Both he and I have put our experiences in love and our feelings in this movie. When the climax of love has passed, how will you face it? To continue or not, it's a serious question," adds the 38-year-old.
"This is a movie of fine details. I hope it leaves audiences with a sweet, warm feeling." Lai cites a scene in the movie in which the rich Meng recalls a dinner with his former lover. "The girl put some vinegar in wine to cure Meng's cold, an action that is also intended to show her jealousy," says Lai.
In Chinese "chi cu," or "eating vinegar," has a hidden meaning of jealousy between lovers.
In addition to contributing his image and his acting talent, Lai this time also served as co-creator and supervisor for the movie. "I have made great efforts to learn production skills since I was enrolled in acting class," says Lai. "I have learned a lot from directors, with different characters and attitudes. Just as singers want to write their own songs after singing so many works by others, it is the same with actors. This time I'm working to help the director."
The movie has successfully filtered out Shanghai's crowds, dirt and traffic jams, and has left a pure East-meets-West beauty. Life suddenly becomes so beautiful in this concrete jungle. A simple plot, beautiful scenes and romantic music make "Leaving Me" an easy-to-watch, easy-to-understand and easy-to-appreciate movie.
(Shanghai Daily February 18, 2004)
