Dear Pennies & Pens,
A few weeks ago, I watched an excellent Chinese film called Love that I couldn’t wait to share with you. Today’s post features a Love Film Review.. Love was directed by Doze Niu who also stars in the film. The film is essentially a romantic comedy but it does feature some dramatic moments. In total the film features eight main characters all searching for love which is why many people have compared the film to the British movie, Love Actually.
The eight main characters real names are Shu Qi, Ethan Juan, Ivy Chen, Mark Chao, Amber Kuo, Eddie Peng, Zhao Wei, Doze Niu, and Rhydian Vaughn. All of the actors have very good chemistry with one another and they are all connected in some way (just like in Love Actually). In essence, the storylines connect in one way or the other and it’s fun to watch as it unfolds.
One of the first scenes begins with real-estate agent Jin Xiaoye (Vicki Zhao) meeting Tawainese businessman Mark Na (Mark Jau) to show him a property. Jin arrives late and unprepared and a frustrated Mark attempts to leave but Jin insists on trying to break in and promptly injures herself. However, later in the film the two begin to fall in love while pretending that Mark is Jin’s son Doudou’s father (Doudou’s father ran away when he was young). Jin and Mark were my favorite storyline of the film because they had such amazing chemistry. Plus there’s scene where Jin tries to give Mark a private dance with an injured leg that is absolutely hilarious.
The next storyline is a love triangle between waiter Li Hsiao-kuan (Ethan Ruan), socialite/actress Fang Jou-yi (Shu Qi), and Fang’s boyfriend/sugar daddy Lu Ping (Doze Niu). Fang is becoming frustrated with her kept lifestyle and runs into Li who has a terrible stutter, no money, and lives at home. And yet Li teaches Fang about love and promptly steals her heart from her older beau. This storyline was my second favorite of the film because Li and Fang also have awesome chemistry and let’s face it Li is excellent eye candy even with a stutter.
The next story is another love triangle between best friends Yi-chia (Ivy Chen) who is also Li’s younger sister and Lu Hsiao-ni (Amber Kuo), and Lu’s boyfriend Kai (Eddie Peng). Yi-chia discovers that she is pregnant by Kai after a passionate one night stand. Of course Lu is heartbroken when she finds out so she breaks up with Kai. Strangely enough, Kai claims to love Lu although he cheated with her best friend and throughout the film he attempts to prove his love. In fact, Kai jumps into a septic tank after Lu tells him that’s the only way he can prove his love. I don’t know about y’all but literally jumping into a septic tank is a dang on good way to claim your love for someone even if it is ridiculously disgusting.
Overall, Love is nothing extraordinary nor is it a classic. But it’s an enjoyable film that will make you laugh and think. So I’d advise that you check it out. And PS since the film’s in Chinese, you can look educated and fancy when your friends find out you’re so culturally hip.
And there it is. de la Pen…All Pen Everything.
