Fly Me to Polaris (1999) User Reviews

Flies to touching emotions

[leekandham · 7/10 · 10 February 2003]

This is a gorgeous love story that is full of emotional twists. It tells of Onion (Richie Ren), a blind and dumb man who is cared for by a nurse, Autumn (Cecilia Cheung). A year after they met, they begin to fall in love, but a car accident kills Onion, and their love seems all but lost. However, chance strikes and as the 60 billionth person to go to Heaven (aka Polaris), he chooses to return to see Autumn. But he only has 5 days, and she cannot know his identity.

Whilst the overall plot may seem quite simple, the film is full of cute little love stories put together, but in no way does it feel fragmented as the flow of the film works beautifully. I wouldn't say that the direction or cinematography was anything special, but that was particularly down to the strength of the script. Cecilia Cheung gives a great and natural performance, Richie Ren, however, mostly seems to overact, and the transition from a childlike blind and dumb man to a mature and philosophical person on his return to Earth seems somewhat flawed. Ok, one might argue, death changes you, your eyes have literally been opened, etc., etc., but surely a character doesn't change as dramatically as his! A mention also for William So, who really does a good performance as Dr Woo. It would have been nice to get a deeper insight in his character.

With three singers in the lead roles, it is not surprising to hear a good soundtrack accompanies the movie. Cecilia's almost haunting lead track does complement the film brilliantly.

In summary, this is a good film to watch, with some originality and an excellent performance by Cecilia Cheung - it's one to watch in the back row with a loved one!

A touching and lovely piece of cinema

[Mike Astill · 6/10 · 16 June 2008]

Onion (Ren) is blind, mute and has to live in hospital, but his life is good as he's in love with his beautiful nurse, Autumn (Cheung). Unfortunately he expresses his joy by dancing around like a nutter, and ends up being hit by a car and killed in a (presumably) unintentionally funny scene. His spirit flies to, er, Polaris, where he's given a chance to return to Earth for five days and see the face of his beloved for the first time. The only problem is, he'll look completely different from when he was alive and won't be able to reveal who he is.

He agrees, but once he sees Autumn again he knows he cannot leave without telling her how he feels, and knowing if she feels the same.

Explain the premise of this movie to anyone, and they might well steer clear of it. And that would be a bit of a shame as, while you could find it painfully syrupy and melodramatic, you might also find it a touching and lovely piece of cinema. I guess it depends how cynical you are.

A young Cecilia Cheung is earnest and pretty, and acts the socks off her overacting co-star. To be fair, Onion would be a difficult part for anyone to play, and it's perhaps too much for Taiwanese pop star Ren.

It's a beautiful looking film, and the score is heartfelt and enjoyable when it isn't being overly intrusive.

The Deltamac DVD provides a decent picture and clear subtitling, with only a small amount of on-the-fly grammar correction required.

Romantic, but simply acted and with cheap effects

[Killer-40 · 6/10 · 28 October 1999]

The asian version of HEAVAN CAN WAIT, my favourite with Warren Beatty, moves Chinese teenagers to tears. Probably in scenes that make us Westerners rather laugh because of their simple and direct actors. Only Cecilia Cheung was convincing, the main protagonist Richie Ren, a popstar from Taiwan, a failure at least in the first part where he impersonated a blind man. After a fatal accident he is sent back to earth and tries to convince Cecilia of his love. Of course, there is a competitor ...

Excellent, old-fashioned love story

[jeebusenroute · 10/10 · 12 March 2006]

Based on the film, "Heaven Can Wait," it is the story of a blind patient (Richie Ren) who falls in love with his nurse (Cecilia Cheung). Just when their relationship seems to be heading in the right direction, the patient is killed in a traffic accident. Soon after, he is in heaven, and one of the gatekeepers tell him that he is the 6th billion person to die, and that every billion person gets a wish. His wish is, of course, to return to Earth to see his love for one last time.

There are restrictions, if this is to happen. He can't tell her that he is who he is. There are many instances where he tries but physically can't. And he must return within 5-10 days. I forget. His final warning is that every person who has returned to Earth has regretted it.

The fact that Onion is blind either works well or doesn't, because seeing as how beautiful Cheung is, it is really hard to suspend belief that she would have trouble doubting Onion's love.

The story is very simple, and you must suspend belief about heaven, the afterlife, and the goodness of people to believe in this movie. I personally LOVED this film. It personifies love without it being cheesy or gratuitous. However, I cannot say that this film is optimistic.

The soundtrack is amazing. It uses saxophones, windchimes, and gives off a tempetuous and bittersweet mood of love lost. Cecilia Cheung even does the title track on this film. It is a haunting and melancholy song, called "Star Wish," which is the actual translation of the movie's title. The setting is in a sprawling hospital, where the nurses live on residency. The main colour motifs are white and gray, giving a wash of purity, innocence and perhaps a sense of calm after the storm.

They could have cast a better "Onion" (Ren), because his overt happiness and just general sense of lacking acting capabilities leave something to be desired. But the person who shows the most promise and natural talent is Cecilia Chueng (Autumn), considering the fact that she was so young, and it was her second film. She brings a naturalness to the film. She is beautiful yet contemplative. She is sad yet fresh.

There really is no flaw in this movie, and if there is, other factors far outweigh the bad.

A beautiful film about the expression of love.

[PhiloMendicant · 14 November 2003]

This movie is a fine example of the amalgamation of Hollywood's hey-day and Chinese ideals. There is no sex, no foul language, the story is simple and beautiful, and full of Chinese values.

It follows a blind and dumb actor who dies, and is granted five days in which he can see, and speak, but no one will recognize him. The performance of the male lead is magical. His facial expressions and mannerisms light up the movie, and the female lead matches his enthusiasm perfectly. The music in the movie is superb, and launches the viewer into a place and time of beauty and substance.

Although the English subtitles are misspelled through most of the film, I (a native English speaker from America), and all the Chinese friends who were watching with me were moved to tears. I recommend it to anyone of any nationality.

Beautiful in every way...

[paul_haakonsen · 9/10 · 1 December 2012]

"Fly Me to Polaris" ("Xing Yuan") is one of the top three Hong Kong movies that had an impact on me and my movie viewing history. Why? Well because it is simply a very heartfelt and warm story, a romantic story that is very sad and beautiful.

The movie's two lead roles, played by Richie Ren (playing Onion/Cheuk) and Cecilia Cheung (playing Autumn Yue) have such great on-screen chemistry together that it really is a perfect match. And truth be told, then Cecilia Cheung is cut out for these particular type of roles, because she aces it here in "Fly Me to Polaris", just as she did in "Failan".

The story is quite beautiful and moving. It is about a blind and dumb man who works at a hospital, where he has fallen in love with a reclusive nurse. Tragedy strikes, leaving the man to die, but he is given five days on Earth to be reunited with his love. Unfortunately he cannot reveal his true identity. But the power of love and the powers of fate always have a way of setting things right.

If you enjoy Asian cinema, and Hong Kong cinema in particular, then you definitely have to acquaint yourself with "Fly Me to Polaris", if you haven't already done so, because this is one of the most brilliant movie moments in the non-action genre to come out of Hong Kong. And the movie is accompanied by a beautiful title track that is brilliantly sung by Cecilia Cheung.

A word of advice, if you are the sentimental type, then you might want to have a tissue or two at hand when you watch this movie.

It is simple, but very touching

[houseroom · 10/10 · 27 October 2001]

Cecelia 's acting has improved a lot since her debut in "comedy Star" She really draws the attention from the audience, with the excellent sound effect and song-written for this songs. The song "Xing Yu Xin Yuen" served a great deal in creating a touching feeling. This is an incredibly good film.

another excellent movie with a awesome actor and actress

[bleachlee · 10/10 · 4 January 2007]

This a simple but excellent movie.

I enjoy it much more than most other similar movies. The main actor and actress played well! The story is easy to follow with lots of humor, romance, and jealousy. The actress's voice and beauty is what makes this movie much better than the other ones. However it is also her pure act that makes the scenes in the movie nice! she is a cu-tie with great talent! the actor played too! one of my favorite actor as well! he always seem happy! i like that part of his act!i also watched other drama and movies with these two excellent actor and actress. kung fu sweet heart is another excellent movie you should watch if you like this movie! etc

this Another well made movie

<3 actor and <3actress

Fly me to Hilarious

[mindless_junk · 5/10 · 20 April 2003]

Call me mean for laughing at this obvious but awkward attempt to jerk tears out of the unsuspecting audience. I am not a heartless soul, but yet, this movie just tries too hard to play the melodramatic moments that I can't help to ponder that other movies of similar vein have done better jobs (e.g. Heaven Can't Wait).

The plot is simple: A blind man given a chance to return to Earth for 5 days to finish unfinished business, but there is a rule: he can't reveal who he is, and those who are close to him can't recognize him. So he returns to Earth to meet his long lost ones, only to meet competition...

You can't really call this plot original, so the movie must survive on its cast and its ability to move the hearts of the audience. As for the cast, Cecilia was quite good in her role. Unfortunately, Rickie (Onion) had just overacted his part. The transformation of him from a blind man, to a jealous boy friend, to a fulfilled philospher ready to accept his fate, only to become the lover again, all in a matter of 5 days, was just too incredulous. I guess when time is short, people do tend to achieve more.

But I can't forgive the film for its obvious attempts to jerk tears off the audience... Don't get me wrong, I would love a cry if the movie expresses genuine, deep, sad moments, but this movie just isn't. For a direct comparison, check out Heaven Can't Wait, now, that is a true classic which deserves a good cry over.

A 5/10 in my book.

love is always hurt

[jetleehame · 9/10 · 10 September 2006]

in this movie is about one guy who was blind but he lucky to meet a good nursed. after she spend time to took care of blind man they both being to fall in love with each other. but they didn't realize it until the blind man died by the car accident. everything has already too late when they both realize it. but god is too good for them that let them to have one more opportunity to meet each other by let the blind man come to see her. so he will not regret it but the time is too short it had only five days that he can see her and talk to her. before he knew that he will leave her anyways i tried to tell her how he feel that he could not tell her before by pretending to be someone who name Chuck. she could feel that he came back because he is the only person who understand her the most whether she sad or she is happy, he always be with her. one night she told him that she want to hear saxophone but she didn't know that the could play saxophone. so he played for her. after she listen she was so happy. love can make impossible to become possible. as if i was him i will not feel regret it even five days is too short but at least he know she loves him and the time that he tried to come to see her is not for nothing. the true love always be hurt so people can remember it.

A half comedy/romantic movie for romance lovers.

[KKenobi · 10 January 2000]

The movie itself was quite touching, however, the plot was still vague. Onion (Richie Ren) interprets a blind man, and does a good job, as well as the nurse (Cecilia Cheung). But the movie itself lacks many effects, and shows an empty scenario. However, the main actors did quite an accomplished job. Acting as blind when you can actually see is rather a difficult task, just as Richie did. But for the love plot, let's not expect too much. In my opinion, the movie was interesting, but lacks too many points, and it's a comedy rather than a love story.