I have to say that this is one of the better movies I have seen in a long time. The emotions expressed between these 2 main actresses are subtle yet very real and convincing. Thumbs up to them. The story happened in China during evolution. It was a very difficult era. The things they do for each other and the scarifies they made for each other just take my breath away... True love is true love. It doesn't matter where it happened, how it happened and happened to whom. It is beautiful. The story keeps going back between the past and the present. It sort of contrasts how people show their loves at different decades. In the present, ppl say love all the time. In the past, ppl show love by actions. In the movie, the main actresses never say I love you to each other yet their smiles for each other and gentle touches to each other say it all. Their love scene is only portrayed by gentle kisses and touches and leaves the rest to the audience's imaginations. The love scene is very brief yet very powerful. At the beginning, one of the main actresses, Charlie, says that "we can't fall for each other because we are all women". Yet at the end, she realized that a committed, mature love is not for men and women only but for everyone with genuine feelings. She eventually falls for her partner. Because of their strong committed feelings for each other, when they finally meet after 30-40 years apart, the movie brings them back to their young selves again, full of joy and hand in hand walking away together as the ending. I wish there are more movies full of substances such as this one. Strongly recommend it.
5 Reviews
One of the tenderest love stories ever portrayed on film
katydid4113 December 2004
The arc of this film is compelling and the central love story so tender that my heart warms at the memory of it. However the secondary actors' work and their scenes are sometimes ragged and unsure. I am not sure why this is but it is. It is almost as if a second director handled those chores. The scenes between the two main characters are so delicate and precise, and the love scene so passionate (even though very short) that I am surprised by the film each time I've viewed it. Carina Lau and "Charlie" Yeung are completely convincing in their devotion to one another.
There is even a clever "mystery" woven into the storytelling mode. I own a VHS of this 117 minute version.
I understand a director's cut version of 162 minutes is the "real thing" and I suspect it is even better than this HK censor's cut. I have been trying to buy a director's cut but cannot find it. If anyone reading my words knows how I can get hold of the longer version please let me know.
This film poses the unstated question: "Can committed mature love ever be wrong?" and it answers with a resounding "NO!". Very enlightened and humane story and I wish there were more of them. As a happy resident of the enlightened "Bay Area" I was delighted in my surprise that this film came out of China (HK).
There is even a clever "mystery" woven into the storytelling mode. I own a VHS of this 117 minute version.
I understand a director's cut version of 162 minutes is the "real thing" and I suspect it is even better than this HK censor's cut. I have been trying to buy a director's cut but cannot find it. If anyone reading my words knows how I can get hold of the longer version please let me know.
This film poses the unstated question: "Can committed mature love ever be wrong?" and it answers with a resounding "NO!". Very enlightened and humane story and I wish there were more of them. As a happy resident of the enlightened "Bay Area" I was delighted in my surprise that this film came out of China (HK).
I give it a 15 outta' 10!
yamiyogi13 December 1998
What a tender and touching love story between two humans
mp-9325516 February 2021
I' ve watched many LGBTQ related movies, but none of them have touched me like this one. Why? The two leading actresses Carina Lau and Charlie Young are deeply convincing in their slowly developing affection towards each other. It's not about passionate love scenes or other physicalities, it is far beyond these superficial themes just to catch the viewers attention. It is about loyalty, tenderly caring for the other, feeling pain in your heart, as you see your partner suffered. That one scene as Foon applied medicine on Wan's bruised back (as a consequence of a torturing by a man) and she unconsciously shed a tear on her back, Wan instantly turned around and gently wiped the tears out of Foon' s face was a fondly memorable scene to me.
Of course this movie has its flaws, e.g. that subplot in the presence is temporarily even annoying, especially Theresa Lee's role as a lovesick brat. But nevertheless I' ll give this movie a 10, because that story between Wan and Foon is so beautifully portrayed, that it touched me profoundly and I am pretty sure that this movie will be forever on my favorite movies list.
Of course this movie has its flaws, e.g. that subplot in the presence is temporarily even annoying, especially Theresa Lee's role as a lovesick brat. But nevertheless I' ll give this movie a 10, because that story between Wan and Foon is so beautifully portrayed, that it touched me profoundly and I am pretty sure that this movie will be forever on my favorite movies list.
chaotic storytelling and implausible plot
TheBigSick30 June 2023
Intimates (1997) is a Hong Kong drama film directed by Jacob Cheung and starring Carina Lau, Charlie Yeung, and Theresa Lee. The film tells the story of two women, Foon and Wan, who fall in love during World War II. The film's storytelling is chaotic and the plot lacks credibility, but the casting is good and the film does a decent job of depicting the challenges faced by women during the war.
The film's storytelling is chaotic and the plot lacks credibility. The film jumps back and forth between the past and the present, and it can be difficult to keep track of who is who and what is happening. The plot is also full of coincidences and contrivances, and it is hard to believe that some of the events in the film could actually happen.
However, the film does have some redeeming qualities. The casting is good, with Carina Lau and Charlie Yeung giving strong performances as the two lovers. The film also does a decent job of depicting the challenges faced by women during the war. The film shows how women were often forced to take on traditionally male roles, and how they had to deal with the trauma of war.
Overall, Intimates is a flawed film, but it does have some redeeming qualities. The casting is good, and the film does a decent job of depicting the challenges faced by women during the war. However, the storytelling is chaotic and the plot lacks credibility. If you are looking for a well-made and believable film, then you will probably be disappointed with Intimates. However, if you are interested in a film that explores the themes of love and loss, then you may find something to appreciate in this film.
Here are some additional thoughts on the film:
The film's title, Intimates, is a bit misleading. The film is more about the love between two women than it is about the intimacy between friends.
The film's setting during World War II is interesting, but it is not fully explored. The film could have done more to show the impact of the war on the lives of the characters.
The film's ending is somewhat ambiguous. It is unclear whether the two main characters end up together or not.
Overall, Intimates is a film with potential, but it is ultimately a bit disappointing. The film's strengths (good casting, interesting setting) are outweighed by its weaknesses (chaotic storytelling, implausible plot). If you are looking for a well-made and believable film, then you will probably be disappointed with Intimates. However, if you are interested in a film that explores the themes of love and loss, then you may find something to appreciate in this film.
The film's storytelling is chaotic and the plot lacks credibility. The film jumps back and forth between the past and the present, and it can be difficult to keep track of who is who and what is happening. The plot is also full of coincidences and contrivances, and it is hard to believe that some of the events in the film could actually happen.
However, the film does have some redeeming qualities. The casting is good, with Carina Lau and Charlie Yeung giving strong performances as the two lovers. The film also does a decent job of depicting the challenges faced by women during the war. The film shows how women were often forced to take on traditionally male roles, and how they had to deal with the trauma of war.
Overall, Intimates is a flawed film, but it does have some redeeming qualities. The casting is good, and the film does a decent job of depicting the challenges faced by women during the war. However, the storytelling is chaotic and the plot lacks credibility. If you are looking for a well-made and believable film, then you will probably be disappointed with Intimates. However, if you are interested in a film that explores the themes of love and loss, then you may find something to appreciate in this film.
Here are some additional thoughts on the film:
The film's title, Intimates, is a bit misleading. The film is more about the love between two women than it is about the intimacy between friends.
The film's setting during World War II is interesting, but it is not fully explored. The film could have done more to show the impact of the war on the lives of the characters.
The film's ending is somewhat ambiguous. It is unclear whether the two main characters end up together or not.
Overall, Intimates is a film with potential, but it is ultimately a bit disappointing. The film's strengths (good casting, interesting setting) are outweighed by its weaknesses (chaotic storytelling, implausible plot). If you are looking for a well-made and believable film, then you will probably be disappointed with Intimates. However, if you are interested in a film that explores the themes of love and loss, then you may find something to appreciate in this film.
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