Dance of a Dream (2001) User Reviews

Beautiful though a bit shallow

[ETCmodel02 · 7/10 · 1 July 2002]

This film is practically a musical in the traditional sense, with a degree of a nod to Singing in the Rain and West Side Story in scenes that play out wonderfully. The supporting cast is rich and could have stood to have had more time in the film. The main story is traditional and no deeper than that of a typical Fred Astaire film. The cruelty in the touching climax gets a rather hollow feeling reversal into happiness, but otherwise the personal moments in the film feel sincere and are often surprisingly warm, original and believable. The developing friendship between the lead women is truly amusing, and Sandra Ng's roommates are hilarious. The cinematography aspects of this are far richer and carefully crafted than a typical Hong Kong romantic comedy (musical) to the level of Shall We Dance from Japan, although this is a lighter story than Shall We Dance in most regards. Anita Mui is apt casting as she was a huge teen pop star in HK in the late Eighties, and is well matched against Andy Lau. Sandra Ng is a longstanding comedian and actress, and additionally is now the spokesperson for a weight loss and physical fitness chain in HK for her success in toning up and slimming down for this role. For those who might have rather seen pretty women in the leads for pretty sake (although I think Sandra Ng is a god) go rent Wesley's Mysterious File. There is an example of pretty leads in a 2001 film from HK starring with Andy Lau, and evidence as well that pretty cast doesn't mean good film making. Dance of a Dream, if nothing else, is solid film making and very appropriate casting. No one could have pulled of that role but Sandra Kwan-Yue Ng.

Excellent cast, great story, beautiful piece of work.

[sxoidmal · 26 July 2002]

This film is an excellent example of latter-day Hong Kong cinema. Emulating and expanding upon Western methods of cinematography and pace,'Dance of a Dream' really shows off what filmmakers can do in Hong Kong. The cast is stellar: Andy Lau is magnificent and charming, able to command the audience's breathless attention. The comedic/dramatic dynamo that is Anita Mui shines as she pursues a seemingly unattainable dream beset with obstacles at every turn, alternately compelling laughter and hot tears with accomplished skill. Sandra Ng serves as a foil to Anita's character, exemplifying the ethical dilemma brought to Andy's dance instructor. There's no fighting, no guns or explosions, just a lot of dancing in the form of highly imaginative dance sequences and hot-blooded competition.

A lowly waitress at a fancy restaurant, Anita Mui's as Tina is inflamed with desire to learn the high art of ballroom dancing, especially after seeing Andy Lau's Namson perform at a fancy dinner. Poor but proud, she finds a way to attend Namson's tutelage and befriends the ragtag class practicing with her. Kam (Sandra Ng) is an ivory tower princess who merely wants to learn to dance so she may better impress her high society acquaintances. Kam gains a sense of humor through contact with Tina and their interplay is truly charming - Wai Keung Lau shows a temperate, confident hand at directing during one of the funniest scenes in the movie, as Kam and Tina privately discuss their respective "endowments". Anyone else could've made this mawkish and cheap, but it plays itself out with control and grace and is funnier for it. Finally, Namson is faced with the dilemma of keeping his low-scale dance studio and sliding-scale clientele versus gaining a more elite downtown studio in a beautiful building, sure to attract wealthy new patrons but rendering it inaccessible to the students he's come to care for.

For all the occasional slapstick and simplified plot dichotomy, 'Dance of a Dream' is still a passionate, engaging, mature body of work, on par with 'Mack the Knife', 'La Brassiere', and 'Sausalito'. This is to HK cinema what 'Ghost in the Shell' was to anime - a direct-line descendent, the latest evolution, and a new standard.

Anita Mui, as always, shines. Cherrie Ying surprises!

[petergaribaldi · 9/10 · 24 April 2003]

There are two things that immediately pop out at you when you watch "Dance of a Dream": Anita Mui has always been and will probably always be the leading actress in Hong Kong cinema, and young Cherrie Ying will likely be the next Hong Kong actress to move into starring roles.

Mui is wonderful as the cold rich woman looking for romance and Ying touches your heart as a call girl looking to excel in ballroom dancing.

Andy Lau fans had better beware because there's no gun fights or car chases. Instead this is in the vein of the old Hollywood musical and it even brings the cast together for a wonderful version of "Walking with my Dad" which is a Chinese song sung to the tune of "Never on a Sunday." Quite breathtaking, actually.

If you like dance, singing, love and comedy, well if you love andy lau, then Watch out!

[ktfleur · 10/10 · 13 April 2002]

I have watched most of Andy Lau's movies and must say, this is a break from gang triad movies and sad love stories and such. A breath of fresh air with a dash of tango! Can Andy dance or what! Okay, so he can act and sing, hey but dance... Give him the all around award for doing it all. Anita mui and sandra Ng are not to be overlooked either. Anita can play the cold ice queen or loving partner whatever the script calls for, and she delivers. As for Sandra Ng, what else can one say but superb. You love sandra from the moment you see her longingly staring at andy with moon eyes till the last joyful smile in the final scene! Note: Anita and Sandra are a hoot in the cha cha dance skit scene. They can play comical men as good as any man could with great voices to boot.Not to leave out that Andy has a great pair of legs in the drag number he does. Personally I watched this movie right away after viewing it just to watch the cha cha scenes and tango scene with Andy and Sandra once more! Put this on your must see list and buy the sound track ,you won't regret it. Now go tango!

Poor female cast

[k_yohanes · 15 February 2002]

Another romantic materials starring Hongkong super star Andy Lau. Such a pity that the co-female stars are Anita Mui and Sandra Ng, who are definitely not knockouts, unlike other romantic Andy Lau's movies which usually use beautiful female actresses. It would've been better if the actresses are funny & cute-face or innocent types, such as Anita Yuen, Maggie Cheung, or maybe Vicki Zhao. Alas, although the leading female casts are poor, the supporting actresses(the dance class students and co-worker) are quite gorgeous! The script is OK enough, though, just to spend time relaxing, at best. Otherwise it's just a waste of time. 2/5

Funny...good christmas movie

[scscorpio · 10/10 · 24 September 2003]

I thought the movie was funny but I feel that maybe it is more for Hongkong viewers based on the jokes cracked in the show...i loved the cast...andy lau, anita mui and sandra ng...quite good acting...but of course i m bias because i m an anita mui fan and i do like to see her acting with andy lau...overall a good christmas movie (it was released at christmas) apparently the dvd has special features as it gives two different endings to the film.

A Fun Dance Movie

[crossbow0106 · 9/10 · 25 August 2008]

This is a sweet story about Kam, played by the always good Sandra Ng, a waitress who lives with two roommates, who serves at a dance recital and is enthralled. She decides she wants to learn how to dance. Andy Lau is the instructor and Anita Mui, in her penultimate role, plays Tina, a non-smiling businesswoman who manages hotels. Sandra Ng has been goofy, wacky, brutal & even vicious in films, but here is one where she is always smiling. She's sweet, adorable and looks great, pretty and happy. Anita Mui looks great also, and both she and Sandra get to dance in the film. They both dance very well. Granted, this is a formula film, but its great because of the actors. Its a feel good film, and the little asides, the false starts, the fun they have is infectious. Its a great date movie, nothing offensive. See it for the stars. Andy Lau is fine, Anita Mui is great and looks beautiful, but Sandra Ng is a revelation. I wish there were more films like this, to show off her sweet side. At least we have this. I liked it a lot.