A warm, sweet film about the love between a simple man and a shy young woman adjusting to life outside her family and upbringing. Very understated with many touching and funny moments.
A young woman named Jennifer leaves Hong Kong to study in the USA with her boyfriend. Upon her arrival she meets "Figurehead", who is watching out for his "4th aunt's 13th cousin". Jennifer is cultured and refined, 180 degrees away from Figgy as he is called, a former sailor who is now a waiter in Chinatown. Though he is crude and uncouth he is faithful and kind, unlike Jennifer's cheating boyfriend.
After seeing her through homesickness, a bit of culture shock and a broken heart, Figgy falls for Jennifer... but of course there are complications and that's basically what this movie is about: the complexities of love.
Chow Yun-Fat gives a great performance as Figgy - while he is often lauded for his action roles, he is under-appreciated as a dramatic and comedic actor. Cherie Chung is superlative as usual.
This film won Best Picture at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 1988, and Chow and Chung were both nominated as Best Actor and Actress, respectively.
A beautifully shot film, directed with style and humanity. Good for the entire family.
