NEW YORK NEW YORK (纽约纽约) (2016)

Genre: Romance/Drama
Director: Luo Dong 　
Cast: Ethan Juan, Du Juan, Michael Miu, Cecilia Yip, Yang Xuwe
Runtime: 105 minutes
Rating: PG 13 (Scene Of Intimacy)
Released By: Shaw & Clover Films
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 14 April 2016

Synopsis: In the 1990s, Shanghai is a land of golden opportunity. Lu Tu (Ethan Juan), the best hotel head concierge in Shanghai falls in love with A-Juan (Du Juan), a girl who is materialistic and desperate to go abroad. Lu’s work is noticed by Mr. Mi (Michael Miu), the head of a service that charges a premium to help Chinese citizens attain American visas. He asks Lu Tu to find prospective clients for the service and also offers him a chance to go to America with him, but Lu Tu decides to stay in Shanghai and gives the opportunity to A-Juan instead……

Movie Review:

Ethan Juan, 33, is a good looking guy from Taiwan. After clinching a Best Leading Actor prize at the 47th Golden Horse Awards, he went on to charm audiences in 2012’s The Guillotines, 2014’s Paradise in Service and 2015’s The Assassin. 

Du Juan, also 33, is a good looking girl from China. A fashion model and a former ballet dancer, she got our attention when by starring in 2013’s American Dreams in China and 2015’s Lost in Hong Kong.

When two good looking people come together to star in a movie, you can be sure the result is pure eye candy. What makes a pretty film even greater would be a good story. Alas, first time director Luo Dong may have missed the memo that an engaging storyline is still a fundamental filmmakers cannot run away from. Throwing in thousands of computer generated shots, shooting the film against gorgeously scenic backdrops and distracting viewers by pretty faces just doesn't do the trick these days. What needs to stand out? A story which people can identify with, and maybe most importantly, characters that are relatable to common folks like you and me.

Exploring how people yearn the American Dream which isn’t exactly new in the cinematic world, but here’s another shot at the topic. Juan and Du play ill fated lovers in 1990s’ Shanghai. He is a bell captain at a grand hotel, while she is a dreamy eyed girl who wants a better life. That’s about it, really. How he gets her a job to an entertainment entrepreneur (Cecilia Yip plays this role effortlessly well), and how a favours are being received by a wealthy businessman (the always reliable Michael Miu lends some gravitas to the film) are really just plot devices to keep the film running till its end credits at the 105th minute.

The film is stylishly shot, with cinematography that will entice people who love all things visually attractive. But there is nothing we haven’t seen before - what comes to mind are definitely Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar Wai’s works (In the Mood for Love, anyone?) Characters don’t speak much, and there are the occasional philosophical dialogue which, again, reminds us of Wong’s films. What we also get is a narrative that goes backwards and then jumps forward, which does nothing other than making us think: Is this really necessary? Are we supposed to feel the pain the two good lookers are going through in life?

Let’s give credit where credit is due. Juan and Du look the role. One’s a handsome hotel staff who fits into his uniform so well, you’d wonder whether there’s anything you can fault him with at all. The other is a flighty female who wears her lipsticks so well, you’d wonder whether it’s even possible to grasp what her priorities in life are. This couple is pleasant to watch on screen, and their somewhat melancholic nonchalance is apt for the story. Unfortunately, other than that (oh, and old timers like this reviewer would sit up whenever Yip and Miu’s characters appear), there isn’t really much else to say about this film.

Movie Rating:

(The leading stars score in the looks department, but the same can’t be said for the film’s lack of substance)

Review by John Li