When Beckham Met Owen (2004)
"Dong Pek Ham yu sheung O Wan" (original title)

Thirteen-year-olds David and Michael are brought together by their mutual love of soccer. United by their obsession with the game and idolization of British soccer stars, the boys build a ... See full summary »

Director:

Adam Wong

Stars:

Eric Leung, Kelvin Lau, Jojo Yau

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eric Leung	...	Michael (as Hiu-fung Leung)
Kelvin Lau	...	David (as Chun-wo Lau)
Jojo Yau	...	Winnie
Wai Keung Law	...	Miss Chan
Priscilla Koo	...	Miss Law (as Kei-Kwun Koo)
Kiu Wai Miu	...	Sir Mr. Wong
Chi Keung Wan	...	David's Father
Michelle Yim	...	David's Mother
Sheren Tang	...	Michael's Mother (as Siu-Man Tang)
Kenneth Leung	...	Ho Ton
Venus Lam	...	Mr. Wong's Daughter
Eric Tsang	...	Soccer Team Fan
Ching-Po Wong	...	Soccer Team Fan
Billy Lau	...	Soccer Team Fan
Timmy Hung	...	Soccer Team Fan (as Tin-Ming Hung)

Storyline

Thirteen-year-olds David and Michael are brought together by their mutual love of soccer. United by their obsession with the game and idolization of British soccer stars, the boys build a strong friendship. But as puberty brings about changes, the boys start to grow in separate directions. While David loves to talk about sex and other raunchy topics, Michael tries to avoid such conversations. Eventually Michael must face what he's been avoiding for some time, that his feelings for David are becoming increasingly complex. In his interesting take on adolescent sexual awakening.

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Plot Keywords:

gay teenager | soccer | coming out | high school | gay interest

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Release Date:

30 September 2004 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

When Beckham Met Owen

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tai Seng Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Tentative steps towards reality

If you see this as a sort of Chinese "coming of age" film, with a twist you can spot after only a few minutes, you won't be too far wrong. Set in contemporary urban Hong Kong, it's roughly the story of two young schoolmates, soccer fanatics, dealing with typical issues: school, friends, skills, poverty, growing up, and of course that twist. The acting is pretty good since it doesn't look like the principals were seasoned professionals, but the story did meander around and, because I'm not fluent in Cantonese, I know some key points didn't get translated well or at least sufficiently in the subtitles.

I give this "6" for likability and its honest attempt to portray current issues, though the film might have done with fewer dead ends in the story line along the way. The ending--which of course I can't give away--was nicely done.