An Autumn's Tale (1987) User Reviews

Sweet Romantic Story

[Ishallwearpurple · 8/10 · 2 September 2001]

Chow Yun-Fat as "Figurehead(Figgy)" goes to the airport in his awful car with the broken door and his loud buddies, to meet his distant cousin Jennifer from Hong Kong. She is a shy, refined young woman who is nonplused by this group and the rundown neighborhood and her awful apartment they take her to, which Figgy thinks is first class. Doesn't it have a gas refrigerator? Isn't there a phone in the hall? Just ignore the trains that rumble outside the window every so often. So begins a sweet love story of two opposites who learn to see the other person in new ways.

Figurehead at first says all women are "choable"(trouble) mainly Jennifer. Jennifer thinks Figgy is a gambler who gets into fights and will never change. Their growing understanding and appreciation for each other makes a first rate romantic tale.

Cherie Cheung and Chow are both very believeable and Make you care about these characters. Watch it and see for yourself.

like an old love letter

[g-82113 · 8/10 · 16 April 2020]

There is one kind of a man with whom you are very comfortable, you would not marry him at the time but you would not forget him, and maybe you would marry him later.

A sweet and gentle love story

[donleavy · 9/10 · 29 June 1999]

A beautiful love story. Shot entirely on location in NYC. Chow Yun Fat, as a gambling slacker, falls in love with his recently jilted distant cousin, Jennifer. The plot is relatively simple, with a predictable O'Henry-ish twist, but the power of this movie comes from the details.

Chow Yun Fat, in a completely different mode from his action films, is subtle, vulnerable, and amazing. Just watching his expression shifting from elation to despair as the camera lingers on his face is heart-breaking.

The direction isn't flashy, but a few shots make very good use of the NYC locale: the sight of CYF running through the graffiti-covered streets, skipping with happiness, is contrasted by him dejectedly strolling while an endless line of taxicabs file past him. And as the title suggests, the autumn season is effectively evoked.

The movie is a bit old, so the wardrobe/hairstyles look dated. Also, the quality of the picture & general production value leaves something to be desired. Will disappoint CYF fans who are used to seeing him just be ultra-cool. But well worth the effort. (Also, you do get to see ultra-cool CYF in the final scene.)

Warm, sweet story.

[leighm · 7 August 1999]

A warm, sweet film about the love between a simple man and a shy young woman adjusting to life outside her family and upbringing. Very understated with many touching and funny moments.

A young woman named Jennifer leaves Hong Kong to study in the USA with her boyfriend. Upon her arrival she meets "Figurehead", who is watching out for his "4th aunt's 13th cousin". Jennifer is cultured and refined, 180 degrees away from Figgy as he is called, a former sailor who is now a waiter in Chinatown. Though he is crude and uncouth he is faithful and kind, unlike Jennifer's cheating boyfriend.

After seeing her through homesickness, a bit of culture shock and a broken heart, Figgy falls for Jennifer... but of course there are complications and that's basically what this movie is about: the complexities of love.

Chow Yun-Fat gives a great performance as Figgy - while he is often lauded for his action roles, he is under-appreciated as a dramatic and comedic actor. Cherie Chung is superlative as usual.

This film won Best Picture at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 1988, and Chow and Chung were both nominated as Best Actor and Actress, respectively.

A beautifully shot film, directed with style and humanity. Good for the entire family.

A beautiful romantic drama from Hong Kong!

[OllieSuave-007 · 10/10 · 26 November 2014]

In this Hong Kong Film Award winner (equivalent to an Oscar) for best picture, actress Cherie Chung stars as Hong Kong native Jennifer who moves to New York City to study for her Master's and reunite with her boyfriend Vincent (Danny Chan Bak-Keung). There, she meets distant relative Samuel Pang (Yun-Fat Chow), a street smart and wise-talking waiter-by-day and gambler-by-night, who helps Jennifer settle within her new life chapter. After Jennifer discovers Vincent was being unfaithful, Pang comes to the rescue and an unlikely and special bond forms.

First of all, the cinematography by David Chung and James Hayman was stunning, brilliantly capturing the breeze, essence and falling leaves of autumn season and the busy, yet sometimes moody, atmosphere of New York City. I especially liked Pang's apartment pad situated under the darkness near the Brooklyn Bridge. You will get an instant feeling of the lifestyles of New Yorkers and the city's rich and poor surroundings.

The screenplay by Alex Law and Chi-Yeuh Low was captivating as it makes you eager to follow the story and has moments that capture your heart, including the parts where Jennifer tries to make up to Pang for her childish behavior after her break-up with Vincent and when Pang helps culture-shocked Jennifer get adjusted to life in New York. The chemistry between the two are touching.

In addition to the drama and romance, there are bits of humor, sweetness and lightheartedness in the story and make you appreciate the film and enables you to relate to the characters. Also, Lowell Lo's music score is charming, Mabel Cheung's direction is solid and the overall acting is superb. True talent is depicted here as Chow Yun-Fat, known for his action films, can pull off real drama, and Cherie Chung's acting is simply to the greatest degree.

I don't want to reveal the story too much, except to conclude that this is more of a movie where a woman meets a man and a special relationship forms. There are enough plot twists and surprises to make this a very distinguished tale.

Grade A

Brilliant and touching

[kfh1 · 10/10 · 17 December 1999]

This is one of the most unforgettable movies I have ever seen. The plot was superb and the acting was brilliant. The story was simple but real and touching. You can so easily relate to the characters yourself making it a magical experience to watch it.

Perhaps I am a little biased but I am sure even non-Chinese can understand the feelings portrayed behind the movie. In my opinion, this is still the best film that Chow Yun Fat has ever casted in.

Best of Chow Yun Fat

[wcdleung · 10/10 · 22 February 2007]

The action-coolness of Chow probably eclipses his real talent -- the subtle detail he's able to deliver. Imagine without the well-portrayed chemistry between him and Jennifer, the movie will degrade to "just another boy-meet-girl" flick. He's the magic. Chery Chun was mostly a "vase" (albeit a pretty one :) I guess the director is the magician who delivered.

Two points to add -- (1) I believed the director herself studied in NYU (where Jennifer studied), and it is amazing how well she captured the feelings of those who study in the US from HK (typical in those days were financial stress, part time jobs, crucial peer support and cover-up of difficulties from parents). She also presented NYC in no less passion than Woody Allen (who's cited in the movie itself), except she beautified the poor-men's share and perhaps cast doubt on the rich (though with much sweetness).

(2) Most of the movie is simple and easily appreciated. But those who know Cantonese get a real bonus. In fact, Chow Yun Fat started out in TV shows, making himself cool and noticeable via his unconventional and memorable use of the language -- everything he said would be fashion for long long time (some of those terms he invented are still being used). So, the exact things he said were cute-cool-classic quotes, again, at least among the generations growing up watching him. It was unfortunate that back in those days, foreign movies were not as well publicized and received in the western world, so that his move to Hollywood was necessary for him to reach out to a wider audience. I have not seen him cast meaningfully since then :(

Classics of love story, Hong Kong made

[madbird-61243 · 10/10 · 5 February 2019]

Super casting. Marvellous acting. Beautiful exotic scenery. Excellent plot. Nowhere for complaint. Classic for the Hong Kong people.

Times go by. The female lead lost her husband. Danny, the second male lead, mysteriously died of overdrinking decades ago unfortunately. YF Chow is still active in movies at his age. He can be seen in street, underground railway, hiking route and virtually everywhere in Hong Kong. He looks young and fit. He is not only a movie icon, but actually a model for meaningful living for Chinese worldwhile.

One of the most beautiful movie in my life

[kjh · 10/10 · 18 March 2001]

I saw this movie more than ten years ago, but I still remember

the feeling I had, when I was walking out of the theater. It was 1989, July in Seoul.

Incredibly beautiful cinematography combined with great music made this masterpiece out of tale-like story. In additon to Camera works and composing, you can see Chow Yoonfat's great acting of describing a guy with humble and pure spirit.

This beautiful movie may not impress you, but...if you have a chance to go to New York, please stroll along the fifth avenue...it will remind you the humble smile of Samuel(Chow Yoonfat).

A very mediocre romantic drama...

[paul_haakonsen · 5/10 · 8 August 2019]

I sat down to watch the 1987 Hong Kong movie "Chou tin dik tong wah" (aka "An Autumn's Tale") here in 2019. Actually I hadn't even heard about this movie before now in August 2019. I was given the chance to sit down and watch it, and of course I did, for a couple of reasons.

First of all, this being a Hong Kong movie is already sufficient to make me have an interest in watching it. And with Chow Yun Fat on the cast list, my interest was increased.

However, my hopes for the movie were quickly shot down, as this turned out to be a run-of-the-mill romantic drama. And it wasn't even a particularly good romantic drama, in fact it was very, very mediocre. Actually it was so mediocre that it bordered on being super generic and downright boring. However, director Mabel Cheung managed to salvage enough of the movie to make it watchable and sort of adequately enjoyable.

However, this is hardly a movie that I will ever sit down to watch again, because the movie had very little of any worth or interest to offer me. And this was by no means a milestone in the career of Chow Yun Fat. With that being said, don't get me wrong, because he does perform adequately in the movie, however he is just sort of taken out of his usual action and fighting element here in this romantic drama. Luckily Cherie Chung manages to swoop in with her performance and carry Chow Yun Fat along with her.

The setting of the movie wasn't particularly thrilling, I mean having Hong Kong Chinese people in New York, nah... It just wasn't particularly memorable or outstanding. It would have worked so much better if it was set in the streets of Hong Kong. Especially since the whole American aspect to the movie sort of just feels like a backdrop and doesn't really influence the movie.

If you enjoy romantic dramas, then you might find some enjoyment in this movie from writers Alex Law and Chi-Yeuh Low.

Wow

[piratematt · 27 February 2001]

Excellent acting, was worth watching just to see Chow Yun Fat's talents. This being the first movie I've seen him without a weapon. Certainly something worth watching.

Good Story, very realistic.

Cinematography needed improvement.

Someday

[GoodBailey11 · 10/10 · 1 June 2020]

Such a feel-good and charming watch! It's really everything I need in an anxious quarantine night! Autumn's Tale did not only capture the electricity of New York but gave us one of the most memorable characters ever, Sampan! I'm really happy tonight! 😊 See you someday, Jennifer!

Disaapointing

[Collector-Man · 5/10 · 7 September 2020]

I wanted to like this but found it rather boring. There wasn't much of a plot and very little conflict. The main two characters go about their business day in, day out but again there's no plot going on that really develops or contributes to a story. All About Ah-Long is a far superior Chow Yun Fat romantic drama.

Down-to-Earth Masterpiece

[luke-35 · 12 December 1998]

A shiny work out of tons of movies in Hong Kong. Simple but touching story makes every assortment for this movie glittering. Yun-Fat Chow is on his best out of bulletproof action scene, and gloriously taking role of humble and warm-heated ex-sailman who falls in love with his unexpected sibling. Greatly shot in New York Chinatown and NYU for reality. Music and art works are superb.