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HONG KONG -- "Sausalito" is a cheery Hong Kong romance set on the fringe of the San Francisco Internet industry. The chief attraction for foreign audiences is the return pairing of "Comrades: Almost a Love Story" co-stars Maggie Cheung and Leon Lai. Although the movie lacks the appealing hick from the sticks-meets-city girl drama of "Comrades", it still rattles along with an easygoing charm.
"Sausalito" did fair business here and in Singapore, and even dented Taiwan's U.S.-dominated top 10 for a week. The "Comrades" connection will generate some interest from Hong Kong film fans n the West.
"Sausalito" is light and slight and none the worse for it. A slimline plot sees Web content whiz Mike Lai) end up in a relationship with gorgeous cabby Ellen (Cheung) after a feisty one-night stand. Ellen, a single mother with an 8-year-old in tow, wants Mike to settle down and take on some responsibility. But the Net nerd has a bad attitude toward women and a surplus of arrogance to boot. With his business going down the chute, Mike is easily seduced by voracious CEO Virginia (Valerie Chow). Ellen is prepared to forgive and forget, but is Mike mature enough to put the romance back on its feet?
Directed by Andrew Lau, best known for the teen gangster series "Young and Dangerous" and the blockbuster actioner "Stormriders", "Sausalito" shoots along at a cracking pace for a romance. Some tasty jump-cuts kick the sections of domestic bliss and strife along.
Unfortunately, the downside is that the story unfolds so quickly that it's difficult for the characters to resonate with any great depth. The leads are attractive, but they are never given time to develop their characters. The best performance comes from mid-1990s star Chow, who is cast in a smaller role.
This is most definitely a Hong Kong post-AIDS scare romance, as a lot of casual sex takes place. The leading characters are perfectly happy to jump into bed with strangers at the drop of a hat -- and they're all nice people, too. While this is nothing new in real life, it is unusual in the conservative Hong Kong romance genre, and the whole movie has a more modern attitude than the sentimental "Comrades".
Refreshingly, even homosexuality is given a contemporary, politically correct treatment. Whereas gays have traditionally been stereotyped as camp queens in commercial Hong Kong movies, "Sausalito" treats its gay character with a cheeky respect and even allows him to make a pass at the leading man. It's surprising, because Wong Jing, the king of lowbrow humor, exec produced the movie.
One problem is a wall-to-wall pop-lite soundtrack. While this may pass muster in Asia, Western audiences may find it a little overbearing and cheesy, even though the bouncy tunes suit the jolly mood of the film.
SAUSALITO
B.O.B. and Partners presents
Producer: Jessinta Liu
Director-cinematographer: Andrew Lau
Executive producer: Wong Jing
Writer: Thirteen Chan
Art director: Patrick Ludden
Music: Chan Kwong-wing
Editor: Danny Pang
Color/stereo
Cast:
Mike: Leon Lai
Ellen: Maggie Cheung
Virginia: Valerie Chow
Running time - 90 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"Sausalito" did fair business here and in Singapore, and even dented Taiwan's U.S.-dominated top 10 for a week. The "Comrades" connection will generate some interest from Hong Kong film fans n the West.
"Sausalito" is light and slight and none the worse for it. A slimline plot sees Web content whiz Mike Lai) end up in a relationship with gorgeous cabby Ellen (Cheung) after a feisty one-night stand. Ellen, a single mother with an 8-year-old in tow, wants Mike to settle down and take on some responsibility. But the Net nerd has a bad attitude toward women and a surplus of arrogance to boot. With his business going down the chute, Mike is easily seduced by voracious CEO Virginia (Valerie Chow). Ellen is prepared to forgive and forget, but is Mike mature enough to put the romance back on its feet?
Directed by Andrew Lau, best known for the teen gangster series "Young and Dangerous" and the blockbuster actioner "Stormriders", "Sausalito" shoots along at a cracking pace for a romance. Some tasty jump-cuts kick the sections of domestic bliss and strife along.
Unfortunately, the downside is that the story unfolds so quickly that it's difficult for the characters to resonate with any great depth. The leads are attractive, but they are never given time to develop their characters. The best performance comes from mid-1990s star Chow, who is cast in a smaller role.
This is most definitely a Hong Kong post-AIDS scare romance, as a lot of casual sex takes place. The leading characters are perfectly happy to jump into bed with strangers at the drop of a hat -- and they're all nice people, too. While this is nothing new in real life, it is unusual in the conservative Hong Kong romance genre, and the whole movie has a more modern attitude than the sentimental "Comrades".
Refreshingly, even homosexuality is given a contemporary, politically correct treatment. Whereas gays have traditionally been stereotyped as camp queens in commercial Hong Kong movies, "Sausalito" treats its gay character with a cheeky respect and even allows him to make a pass at the leading man. It's surprising, because Wong Jing, the king of lowbrow humor, exec produced the movie.
One problem is a wall-to-wall pop-lite soundtrack. While this may pass muster in Asia, Western audiences may find it a little overbearing and cheesy, even though the bouncy tunes suit the jolly mood of the film.
SAUSALITO
B.O.B. and Partners presents
Producer: Jessinta Liu
Director-cinematographer: Andrew Lau
Executive producer: Wong Jing
Writer: Thirteen Chan
Art director: Patrick Ludden
Music: Chan Kwong-wing
Editor: Danny Pang
Color/stereo
Cast:
Mike: Leon Lai
Ellen: Maggie Cheung
Virginia: Valerie Chow
Running time - 90 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 8/24/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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