Needing You... (2000) User Reviews

Sweet as Sugar but without the Toothache

[Xiayu · 8/10 · 10 April 2005]

I won't bother to describe the plot because what's going to happen is obvious within the first ten minutes. So while it may be predictable and even unrealistic, as all romantic comedies are, it's done with such lightheartedness, and with so much comic flair, that it's a joy to watch.

Both actors (Sammi Cheng and Andy Lau) are in their element, and although they may not be stretched dramatically, they are convincing and sweet. Watching Kinki put Hua Shao through an emotional wringer that leads him to adopt her habit of chronic cleaning when stressed, is funny and touching.

There are logic problems and convenient occurrences that force the characters together, but since that's what the audience wants all along, the pleasure is in watching them get there.

This is not a feel-good movie, it's a feel-wonderful movie. Highly recommended.

Charming feel good comedy.

[yangshouwen · 8/10 · 22 October 2000]

Another success for the guys at Milkyway. Further testament that Hong Kong still produces great films which needn't involve gangsters and crime, and violence, but can produce quirky little gems like this. Although Andy Lau changes very little from role to role, playing himself mainly, he is likeable, and when you see the "moment of romance" joke you'll realise that Hong Kong can produce subtle comedies which surprise and make you smile without over sentiment.Yep, Andy is willing to make a fool of himself, and that is the joy of him in this film, he has little to say but you see his tranformation and realisation. Sammi, she's likeable but seldom talks maturely, and is more childish in delivery of her lines, but I would think that was the intentions, to make her seem cute, and she is. Yes I like this film, although less of a languishing film by Johnnie To, like "THe Mission", it proves that as long as there is talent like of the same ilk as Johnnie and his merry band, Hong Kong can look a lot more rosy for it. If you like Ally McBeal, you'll like this.

Whimsical, charming, romantic

[asmith42 · 8/10 · 20 July 2000]

A must see for fans of Andy Lau this is a light-hearted romantic treat with Sammi Cheung lighting up the scenes with her girl-next-door looks and coquettish smile. There are several moments in the film that could have been smoother (the entire "kidnapping" is a bit overbearing and Kinki's family acts as if they're in the wrong movie) but there's plenty of whimsical fun and childlike nuttiness that will have you rooting for these two well before the two hours run out.

Cute chick flick

[DanStarkey · 28 January 2004]

Popular Hong Kong pop singer Sammi Cheng usually winds up in roles where she plays the "straight man" and doesn't get the joke. Andy Lau somehow maintains his attractiveness to young women half his age - at least in his movies. This film is no exception but is nevertheless a sweet romantic comedy that plays well if you haven't tired of films in which Cheng and Lau fumble through romance.

A heartfelt romantic comedy...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 9 February 2021]

While "Needing You" (aka "Goo nam gwa lui") is a pretty straightforward, if not generic actually, romantic comedy, there is just something that works quite marvelously about it.

Perhaps it is the adorable storyline that writers Cindy Tang, Ka-Fai Wai and Nai-Hoi Yau managed to put together, or the adept skill of bringing the script to life from established directors Johnnie To and Ka-Fai Wai. But it may also be the on-screen chemistry that there was between lead actor Andy Lau and lead actress Sammi Cheng.

I hadn't seen "Needing You" before now in 2021, as I had the opportunity to sit down to watch it. And I must say that it was an entertaining romantic comedy. Sure, this is one of those a dime a dozen romantic comedies, but if you enjoy such movies, then "Needing You" is definitely well worth checking out.

There is a good pacing to the storyline and there are enough variation in the plot to keep it interesting from start until end. Sure, it is predictable, and the movie pans out and ends exactly as you foresee, but it was, nonetheless, an enjoyable ride.

"Needing You" also have names like Shiu Hung Hui and Suet Lam on the cast list, so if you are familiar with Hong Kong cinema during the 1990s and 2000s, then you will recognize these two actors.

I found "Needing You" to be a nice surprise and it was definitely an enjoyable romantic comedy. I am rating this 2000 Hong Kong movie a solid six out of ten stars.

A nice little romantic comedy....with an emphasis on romance.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 13 March 2013]

Sammi Cheng and Andy Lau star in this romantic-comedy--with a particular emphasis on romance. I noticed a couple reviewers didn't like that the film wasn't that funny. I had no problem with it and thought it didn't need to be funnier.

When I rented this film, my first thought was 'wow--a film starring Andy Lau that is NOT a martial arts epic or gritty cop film!'. This is because here in the States, most of Lau's films you see are this sort of film--such as "Internal Affairs", "House of Flying Dragons" and "Warlords". Here it is nice to see him in something lighter.

The film is set in Hong Kong and involves a nice boss (Lau) and a strange secretary (Cheng). I say strange because on one hand she's a mess. She has no confidence with men and flies off the deep when she has relationship problems. But, on the other hand, she's very loyal, highly skilled and a very important part of her office team--though she's not the sort to seek attention and often lets herself be the fall gal when there are problems. As the film progresses, Lau realizes what a find he has with Cheng--at first as a co-worker and then later...well see the film for yourself to see what's next.

Overall, this is a very sweet film--a nice date film. Nothing overly deep or significant here--just a very nice movie featuring some actors who manage to carry off the film quite well.

Yet another whiny Sammi Cheng role

[eddax · 6/10 · 26 November 2003]

Hong Kong seems to love Sammi Cheng in whiny, helpless roles, as evident by her slew of Hong Kong Film Awards acting nominations - for this movie, Love on a Diet (both with Andy Lau), and Fighting for Love (with Tony Leung). While I looked past her annoying character in Love on a Diet because I found its weight-loss theme inspirational, both this movie and Fighting for Love - typical romantic comedies - are merely tolerable, good for a couple of chuckles. Though I understand Sammi's acting range isn't that wide, it's a pity that the Queen of Cantopop is perpetually relegated to such grating cheeseball roles. 6/10

Very entertaining for all ages

[yo_sammi · 10/10 · 3 August 2005]

Excellent light romantic comedy. A mix of funny, humor, entertaining movie. Loved the part where the leading male character coached the co-worker how to dump the irresponsible boyfriend. This movie not only showed the supervisor and the subordinate relationship, also detailed the single working girls problem: family, dating , working etc.

I really like this entertaining movie, loved the theme song as well, It really fitted the movie scenes where the bustle city scenes of H.K. were featured.

I learned something from this movie also. office gossips are the worst part. However, this movie made it very funny to point out how far the gossips can go. This movie also touched upon the ever money hungry parents who forced their kid to date someone who is wealthy. Very selfish indeed. Overall, I find this movie very entertaining and provide insights in a lot of city life.

Quite disappointing...

[ajy1 · 3/10 · 18 November 2000]

This effort from Johnny To and his Milky Way cronies is unfortunately a huge step back for the company. While it can be admired that To (along with co-director Wai Ka Fai) is attempting a new genre, the romantic comedy, the cheap gags definitely threaten to bog down the entire picture. Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng star as Andy and Kinki, a pair of office drones in a company that somehow deals with computer chips. You can guess what happens next. The only saving grace here is Cheng's neurotic, charming performance. However, with Kinki's constant putdowns and desperate antics, this character makes Ally McBeal look like a model of feminist restraint. Lau takes his role a little too seriously and his temper tantrums threaten to turn this seemingly lightweight effort into something far more serious. A subplot about an Internet millionaire's affections for Kinki (which could've been nicely lampooned is instead squandered) never takes off. This is generally an unwatchable effort, which is hopefully only a temporary detour for Milky Way.

Comedy missing

[leekandham · 5/10 · 7 February 2001]

A very, very average and mediocre film. The storyline isn't bad, but it is badly executed. In a series of very disjointed series of scenes, the characters never fully developed. The film never knew exactly what it wanted to be either. Billed as a romantic comedy, it had funny moments, but never seemed to go far enough. Too many unfunny moments spoiled it for me. The characters lacked chemistry and emotion between them and in many ways, the story came out just depressingly sad. Not a good ingredient in a supposedly funny movie. Anyway, it could have been done a lot better...