Isabella

Pang Ho-cheung crafts some of the most exquisite shots of the year in this gorgeous film starring Isabella Leong and Chapman To. The story circles around the estranged relationship between a crooked-cop father and his wayward daughter, on the eve of the Portuguese handover of Macau to the Chinese. If you are a fan of the cinematography and style of "Chungking Express", I urge you to give this film a try. The performances are amazing. The music is lovely. This is glorious cinema for patient movie lovers.

About two weeks have passed since I watched this movie, so I don't remember every detail of it perfectly anymore. But what I do remember is that I did enjoy watching it.

Luckily, I didn't read the plot synopsis on IMDb before watching it, because it sure looks boring and overcooked: Careless bachelor is tracked down by the daughter he never knew he had; they slowly start bonding while facing all kinds of obstacles... yaaaawn!

But quite on the contrary, this movie struck me as a fresh and playful drama with lots of funny moments (that for the most part didn't derive from the "oh-so-funny" plot-element of father and daughter trying to work it out despite not knowing anything about each other, which in turn results in awkward situations etc.). The cast was very good. I especially liked the stoic male main character and one of the supporting characters who was eating stuff in every scene he was in. There are also quite a few little plot twists that are believable and serve the story line well.

Overall, it's a very likable movie with the message that it's never too late to change your path in life, even though it may seem painful. Interestingly enough, that message is not only delivered through the father-daughter-main-plot, but also through sub-plots. And it's delivered in a non-hysterical, non-preachy way, which is a big plus in my book!

Isabella is definitely not a masterpiece, but it's the kind of movie I would like to see more; especially in times when the money that is being spent on any given super-hero movie would be enough to make literally a hundred movies that are relevant to people's lives, actually make a point and give just a little food for thought (not demonizing blockbusters here; just saying the balance is off).

That is one really creepy movie. But in a good way, if you can say that. This movie is about a police officer that has an unwanted/uninvited guest at his house ... who that is? Someone who wants to live there with him, but that's all I'm going to say, you have to watch the rest for yourself.

The actors are really great in it (some might know Chapman To only from Infernal Affairs, but he made other great movies too) and the storytelling is excellent. You get the mood of the characters mostly through their actions not through their words, which I really liked! Also kudos to the camera man, for his excellent work.

If you like an off-beat drama mixed with little comedy, than this is for you.

This movie gets it right. From a simple and "seen-it-before" premise-- a man reunites with his daughter he never knew he had--comes a tale of human frailties, failures, fears, familial fraternity and future-looking forgiveness. The themes and concept may be old news, but the look, feel and refined storytelling of this one is as refreshing as a cold beer in summer. It is quirky & funny with fine nuanced performances by both leads. Isabella Leong got a few acting nods for her role and she really carries the piece well trying to gain her father's favour and exploring a relationship she never had.

Music-wise this film is also covered with a prominence of powerful pieces that not only set the mood, but sometimes tell the story themselves. Peter Kam also get recognized for his work, but arguably its Ho-Cheung Pang's choices as well as calculated visual and sound editing that makes it all work.

Ho-Cheung Pang really gets the best of everyone with this. Earthy real sets & decors from the arts department, lighting & impressive camera-work, etc. From the potent acting to the steady interior shots or the moving exterior close-ups, everything fits into the beautiful puzzle. The cinematography is innovative, alluring, but properly restrained and like the music also tells the story in its own way. A little hint of Kar Wai Wong here with occasional focus on feet or parts of the body, but always very well done and adding to realness and proposed point-of-view.

The movie leaves the audience in a happy contemplative mood. Having enjoyed the slice of life, embarked with the characters and feeling all the better for it.

This is a great picture that will have me seeking Ho-Cheung Pang's past & future projects. A voice I definitely want to hear more from in Hong Kong cinema...

Simply beautiful...

Edmond Pang is not the next anything, but rather a bright new hope of the next decade for HK cinema. After 4 out of 4 good witty films, Pang dilutes his wittiness for art, yet still capturing the mood of his style. Pang is an expert storyteller and his ingeniousness use of voice over apes Wong Kar Wai, but also keeping a constant mood within the characters while capturing the romantic affairs of Macau. Like Wong, the movie emphasis on time, love and the film music score, but Pang is by far different and far more playful and witty. The film success isn't exactly due to the storyline, but rather the beautiful performance of Isabella and a career breakthrough role for the unfairly underrated cameo specialist – Chapman To which both combines well with Pang's romantic vision through the lens into the city of Macau.

Pang is clearly an ingenious director, who realizes that calling Isabella the same name would be a cliché, but rather changes the title role to a dog. This in turn gives a further depth to a beautiful piece of painting. Perhaps the most important aspect of Pang's image is the music score itself. It defines the film, the actors, the director and ultimately the audience. The score is heartfelt and beautiful to endure and perhaps the best fitting film score since 2046. The sense of loneliness, enduring, cheerful, carefree is all combined with the ultimately mood of a romantic.

After a career suicide in Bug Me Not, a movie for mentally disabled people, Isabella proves the economic theory about for "every low, there will always be a high" correct. Isabella's performance echoes Karena Lam in her award winning debut as a natural high school-er in July Rhapsody. Isabella is clearly natural and for the first time, Neo actually reckons she is pretty. Her looks are menacing to resist and her youthfulness is played with a matured and controlled temperament as she pulls off a nomination worthy performance. As for Chapman To, an actor who Neo have found funny and likable in the past proves his potential of being a serious dramatic actor. Chapman is a likable comic genius and is clearly underrated by various critics/audience who labeled him as "annoying", "filling up space", "a waste of time", despite pulling off memorable performances in Moonlight in Tokyo, Infernal Affairs, Colour of Truth and Initial D. Chapman depicts a corrupt cop who slowly resist and accepts the knowledge of a daughter is one of maturity and sympathetic performance.

Isabella is a beautiful movie to endure and while it isn't Pang most accessible film, it nonetheless fills the most vital ingredients of an art movie – the feel and the mood. Pang tackles upon issues of controversy in a light hearted and playful manner while being serious at the same time. The city of Macau isn't really that romantic, as it is in fact filled with gamblers, prostitutes, triads and corruption. This is another reason why Edmond Pang hits his marks so cleanly and artfully, despite the fact that most scenes are so clearly staged – think Isabella lying on the bed posing – doesn't that rings 2046's Maggie Cheung? Pang also plays with the idea of a probable incest and here he ingeniously filmed the scene with a tone of juxtaposing comic and seriousness – think about it – you just have sex with a random girl you met at a bar and the next thing you realize – she is actually your daughter? Isabella isn't a film of plot and twists as Pang's previous ones, but like Wong Kar Wai, it is all about the mood and the feel that it ultimately conveys. It isn't the most flawless movie, but yet at the same time the flaws are not obvious and frequently hided behind the magnificent mood created by the powerful music score. Overall, Isabella is what I embrace as a beautiful little movie that gives the "feel"… (Neo 2006)

I rate it 9/10

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