Secret (2007)

Ye Xiang Lun, a talented piano player is a new student at the prestigious Tamkang School. On his first day, he meets Lu Xiao Yu, a pretty girl playing a mysterious piece of music.

Director:

Jay Chou

Writers:

Jay Chou (original story), Chi-long To (screenplay) (as Christine To)

Stars:

Jay Chou, Lun-Mei Kwei, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong

4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jay Chou	...	Ye Xiang Lun
Lun-Mei Kwei	...	Lu Xiao Yu (as Kwai Lun-Mei)
Anthony Chau-Sang Wong	...	Sir Yip
Ming-Ming Su	...	Rain's Mom
Devon Song	...	Ah Bao
Kai-Syuan Tzeng	...	Sky
Jun Lang Huang	...	Ah Lang (as Huang Jun Lang)
Yuri Chan	...	Yu Hao
Chase Chang	...	Record Store Owner
Funky Tu	...	York (as A-Do)
Yuki Huang	...	Ice
Aviis Zhong	...	Flower
Alex Wu	...	Music Teacher
Michael Lin	...	English Teacher
Yiao-Tzong Chou	...	Biology Teacher

Storyline

Ye Xiang Lun is a music student majoring in piano who just transferred to Tamkang, a school famous for its musically talented students, especially those who play piano. On his first day of school, he hears a mysterious melody being played, and following it meets Lu Xiao Yu, another piano major. When he asks her about the song she was playing, she tells him that it is a secret that cannot be told. The two form a friendship that quickly evolves into a romantic relationship. However unbeknownst to Xiang Lun, there is more to Xiao Yu than initially meets the eye.

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Plot Keywords:

chopin | asthmatic | asthma inhaler | asthma attack | love across time | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Music | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The date on the board when Xiao Yu first goes to class is January 18, 1979 - Jay Chou's birthday.

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Goofs

Lu Xiao Yu is seen using a correction pen to write on a desk when she returned back to 1979. Correction pens were not introduced until the 1990s.

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Soundtracks

Secret
Lyrics by Vincent Fang
Arranged by Michael Lin
Composed & Performed by Jay Chou

User Reviews

A plot formula that works

I was pleasantly surprised after watching this film on DVD. While the premise of the story may not be entirely original (there are many who may compare it with Il Mare or its Hollywood remake - The Lake House), frankly speaking, the manner in which the plot unfolds is relatively engaging and has kept me glued to the screen from the opening credits to the closing credits.

The film, Secret, begins with Lun (played by Jay Chou, who also directed the film) being led by a mysterious and alluring piano piece to an old dilapidated room in his new school (Tamkang Secondary School). It was in this room where he meets Rain (played by the infectiously sweet Kwai Lun-Mei), who was responsible for playing the mysterious piano solo. This chance encounter would trigger the start of Lun and Rain's somewhat nebulous relationship, which would be 'put to the test' to an extent by another female student named Sky (which was played to perfection by the delightfully charming Tseng Kai-xuan).

Jay Chou had also taken this opportunity (and a great one as well – with music being centerpiece of this story) in his directorial debut to pay a small tribute to one of his favourite composers, Chopin, wherever possible. Apart from being described as a "gifted composer" in the film, Chopin's Waltz was also featured in the beautifully shot sequence of a "piano duel" – which was one of the highlights of the film.

Besides the storyline and music, the film's cinematography was decent as well. In short, it's a wonderfully packaged film with a plot formula that works.

(DVD Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars – definitely could have been a lot better. The "making of" video was disappointing with no guidance or insight on the making of the film and it was constantly interspersed with periods of continuous silence.)

Details

Country:

Hong Kong Taiwan

Language:

Mandarin English

Release Date:

27 July 2007 (Taiwan)

Also Known As:

Secret

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,968,358

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avex Asia, Black & White Keys, East Empire International Holding

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1