Drama, 2003, Rated R
Director: Anthony Minghella
Writer: Anthony Minghella, Charles Frazier
Cast: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellwegger
Score: ****

The American Patient - Civil War style.  Writer/director Anthony Minghella’s(The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley) latest is an adaptation of the Charles Frazier epic love story of sorts set in the backdrop of the beautiful Carolinas in the 1860s when America was at war with herself.  Wounded, tired and lovelorn hero Inman (Jude Law in a more subdued though no less energetic performance) deserts the army and heads home on foot, avoiding the enemy but more particularly, the dreaded Confederate Home Guard who have taken it upon themselves not only to rid the land of traitor deserters but pillage all good folk of any crop or animal.  Seeking solace in his new love, Ada (Nicole Kidman), the prim and proper daughter of a preacher (Donald Sutherland), Inman’s determination drives him on to the final embrace.

Minghella paints a picture of a disheartened and hopeless land whose coldness is reflected only by the barren landscape surrounding the village also known as Cold Mountain.  The battle scenes, notably the first segment are spectacularly staged—old fashioned panoramic style, with minimal special effects.  This is all masterly photographed and scored to grand effect.  One also cannot fault with Minghella for his compelling story-telling techniques (with layered flashbacks), which work well—primarily from his well-written supporting characters encountered by Inman during his journey.  These are performed by a stellar international cast that includes Natalie Portman, Brendan Gleeson and the barely recognizable Philip Seymour Hoffman and Giovanni Ribisi.  But Renee Zellweger steals the show as the tomboyish farm girl, Rudy, mumbling wise-cracks under her breath as if the day has no end. 

On the whole, Cold Mountain works like an adult fairy-tale with a fair share of violence and the romance sometimes carried out a bit too far. The ending is lengthy yet necessary for proper closure but the best bits occur when Minghella displays his sense of cynicism.  He likens the civil war to man-made rain, in which man will stand in it and shout “***censored***, it is raining!” and life to the parable of the bird, seed and ***censored***.  Nevertheless, this film finally emerges as a well made ambitious work worthy of the Best Picture Oscar.

GILBERT SEAH was born in Singapore and moved to Toronto in 1982. He is an engineer by profession, with a passion for the cinema. Since the age of 10, he has been to the movies almost daily. Having been brought up in the Asian, British and Canadian cultures, he is able to bring a distinct perspective to film.       

Drama, 2003, Rated PG-13
Director: Jim Sheridan
Writer: Jim Sheridan, Naomi Sheridan, Kirsten Sheridan
Cast: Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Djimon Hounsou
Score: **

The slowly fading image of the American flag at the start of Jim Sheridan’s family odyssey to New York City tells quite a bit of the story he is about to relate in his earnest semi-autobiographical film.  For one, the classic American dream is over-rated and non-existent.  Sheridan’s family comprises Irish émigrés Johnny (Paddy Considine from the little seen A Room for Romeo Brass) and Sarah (academy award nominee Samantha Morton from Woody Allen’s Sweet and Lowdown) with their two daughters, Kristy and Arial (sisters Sarah and Emma Bolger).  They move to a gothic run-down tenement, dare to knock on the door of “the screaming man,” a mysterious neighbor named Mateo (Djimon Hounsou), and everything changes. As the family heads for a crisis, Mateo becomes their unlikely ally in the territory where hope, faith and even magic hold sway.

In America has been touted as the best British film to have been made this year.  Indeed, Sheridan has tried his damndest best which is too hard for the film’s own sake, so much so that every scene has to end at some dramatic high point.  Johnny’s transport of an air-conditioner has to be taken across a busy street with vehicles whizzing by or a trip to the amusement park must end with a fanfare after Johnny finally wins the E.T. doll for his daughter.

But the film is a hybrid of both a family’s trials and tribulations while entering a new land as well as the parents‚ purging of the demons hovering over the loss of their son, Frankie (not shown on-screen).  Sheridan obviously brings the film towards its logical conclusion with the family settled in and husband and wife ready to live anew. 

With the film ending with the title “dedicated to Frankie,” it would take a reviewer with a heart of stone to pan a film made right from the heart.  But not all good intentions lead to successful results.  In America comes across as too hokey and too earnest for its own good.

GILBERT SEAH was born in Singapore and moved to Toronto in 1982. He is an engineer by profession, with a passion for the cinema. Since the age of 10, he has been to the movies almost daily. Having been brought up in the Asian, British and Canadian cultures, he is able to bring a distinct perspective to film.    

2003, Action
Director: Ryuhei Kitamura
Starring: Aya Ueto, Joe Odagiri, and Naoto Takenaka

Azumi (Aya Ueto) is the only female among a group of 10 people who have been trained since childhood to be assassins in their mountainous region. When warlords are vying for power, threatening the nation and trying to stir up some troubles, Master decides that it is time for them to leave the mountain and assassinate three warlords before the war breaks.

Azumi is based on the manga of the same title. I have never read the series so I don’t know how accurate it is. But this is what the action film is supposed to be.  It is definitely super cool from the beginning to the end. And yes, action is the main character of the film but the story isn’t constructed it like a lot of recent action films. You get to know enough about each character and their blaze of glory moment couldn’t be more memorable. I won’t get into any specific action scenes because words will not do any justice.

Ryuhei Kitamura knows exactly what he is doing.  He declined an offer from Hollywood to make this film. And I am glad he did. Those freaks of Hollywood wouldn’t know what to do with him. What’s interesting and most impressive about this film is that they choreographed all of the action scenes the day they were shot. And having this J-pop girl to perform almost all the action. 

In the making-of features, Ryuhei mentioned that he didn’t want to just use her on close ups and have a stunt double do the action. Insteady, he wanted to have her perform all the action even though she isn’t physically up trained for it and may not look good and realistic. Folks, that truly paid off. Aya looks so great every time she slices someone and gives the pose.

This is the flashiest, the coolest, and the most entertaining samurai film since Lone Wolf And A Cub.  It is just like Versus. After two hours of watching, you will want more.

Shogo is an award-award winning filmmaker currently hard at work on a new project. Asian Fever is his weekly column devoted to Asian cinema and related topics.

2003, Romance
Director: Carol Lai
Starring: Karena Lam, Ekin Cheng, Liu Ye

Maan (Karena Lam) visits the city of Qingdao in search of a landscape sketched by her dead boyfriend Sam (Ekin Cheng). She moves into a guesthouse with one of Sam’s relatives. She soon meets a local postman Lit (Liu Ye) who decides to help her find the place. Of course he starts falling for her who doesn’t seem to share his affection.

This is one of the best films I have seen in 2003. I absolutely loved it. I truly adore it. Thinking about this film puts a smile on my face. Sure the story is nothing new. The girl thinking about her ex, and meeting another man. It is quite simple. Simplicity of the story and complexity of emotion are what elevate this film to top level and separate from ones of this genre. I must give it to director Carol Lai for not falling into the pit and not creating mandatory romantic film. The rhythm of the film is quite slow as Maan’s emotion unfolds. Beautifully photographed images are there to help creating mood for Maan lingering to the past. And once again Karena Lam carries the weight of the film entirely. She delivers genuine performance, most natural, most charming, most realistic performance to date. There are so many silent moments in the film. She doesn’t try to make her feelings obvious at all. She always manages to express very subtle emotions.

This film is not for everyone. Simplicity of the story, slow paced, and lots of silent moments may not convince you to watch it all the way. But if you are out searching for realistic romantic film, search no more.

Shogo is an award-award winning filmmaker currently hard at work on a new project. Asian Fever is his weekly column devoted to Asian cinema and related topics.

2002, Romance
Director: Dante Lam
Starring: Karena Lam, Nicholas Tse, Candy Lo

Fung (Nic) is a postal delivery boy with loss of hearing.  Jane (Karena) is a dancer whose group has been accepted in a grand dance competition. They encounter each other four times in a day. But unfortunate fate (***censored***!) fell upon them. She was hit by a car and is no longer here on earth. Luckily he can see her for the reason that both of them were thinking about each other when an accident happened. Now she is allowed seven days to walk the earth as a spirit. Together they set out to win the dance competition.

It is a cute romantic film.  At least it feels like one. As much as I enjoyed the film I must say that there are things that sometimes just don’t make any sense at all. It has “logical problems” (the whole afterlife thing revolves and works for whatever makes things either better or worse for Jane and Fung). Also there are things in the film that sound and look so thematic but really have no purpose whatsoever. And it sure does have clichés from this genre. But you know what? I liked it.

Sometimes you just have to let go and enjoy for what it is. If you are man/woman enough to do so it gives you total satisfaction.  After all this is a fantasy film targeted for those seeking the kind of true romance that can only happen in a film like this.

So what separates this film from other just like it? Karena Lam. She is the heart of this film. Her unaffected natural charm is enchanting and her genuine performance is intriguing. And she is super cute. And Nic also plays this sympathetic character so convincingly. He proves he isn’t just a pretty boy. Honestly at the end, their chemistry is so fantastic that one can only wish to spend more time with them.

I am not a big fan of Tiramisu but I liked this one. I enjoyed every bit of taste of this while it lasted.

Shogo is an award-award winning filmmaker currently hard at work on a new project. Asian Fever is his weekly column devoted to Asian cinema and related topics.