The plot of this film isn't too bad, but sadly what lets it down is the lack of depth. Leaving Me, Loving You tells of a doctor (Leon Lai) who breaks up with his event planner girlfriend (Faye Wong) but regrets his decision. In the following days, they both get recruited by the family of an elderly, but wealthy, businessman, he to check on his ailing health, she to plan for his birthday. Thrusted reluctantly into each others' lives so soon, he faces the fact that he was wrong to break up with her.
The concept may be clichéd (but then, when is a love story on screen not), but there is enough interest generated by the creativity of how the film was made that would impress. There are some beautifully used camera angles, gorgeous sets (particularly from the leafy streets of Shanghai, to Siu Yut's office) and a good arrangement of music (with possibly the exception of the overuse of the classic Moon River throughout) which all made it very watchable, but I found myself watching the film wanting more to happen between the two main characters than really did.
Many have criticised the lack of chemistry between the two actors, but my own view is that there were simply not enough scenes in the script to allow the characters' relationship to develop. Most scenes involving the two together involve just Siu Yut wanting to not speak to him and she leaves or he leaves. Not exactly much for one's emotion to build on. The relationship between the two is just not explored enough in the script. Indeed, we never get to really fully understand why they broke up in the first place, except that things 'were going too fast'.
Ultimately, though, it is a watchable film, and I've given it higher marks for artistic value. But it does lack in the storyline department, and for the guy who took his girlfriend out on Valentine's Day to see this movie, I sympathise, as this isn't quite a story that celebrates love.
One for sappy ones
*DVD Comments* The HK DVD from Widesight contains the Mandarin original audio track as well as a dubbed version in Cantonese. However, the subtitles in Traditional Chinese and English are etched on screen (so you can't turn them off), and there are no extras on the DVD. Expect to find this film in your Bargain Basement, otherwise you'll be paying far too much for it compared to other titles
