This is a difficult film to review as there are obvious weaknesses. It is nice to look at and the cinematography balances indifferent acting. The story is not demanding but has a simple charm Old fashioned romance and lost love a story worth telling.. The work which has gone into it does not deserve the vitriolic criticism of one of the reviews posted here any more than it justifies the effusive praise of another.. The director displays some nice touches and must have enjoyed the beautifully framed shot in the chapel towards the end. My compliments to the producer for getting it made and the director for working with limited resources. I for one am grateful to watch a film free of the curse of CGI and noisy intrusive soundtracks I tip my hat to director Derek Ting for telling a simple story well.
19 Reviews
I was moved emotionally.
abbieyan16 March 2022
There was another movie that came out around the same time "Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong" and 2+ reviewers overtly mention it in comparison slamming this film who are blatantly from their crew. The lack of integrity of these individual(s) is appalling.
I enjoyed this movie. It was good. I'm not a movie reviewer but since I saw the Paramount release sign in the movie while watching it, I assume other movie people thought it was good too. Anyways, it's just a movie but feel compelled to write this because I was moved emotionally watching it.
I enjoyed this movie. It was good. I'm not a movie reviewer but since I saw the Paramount release sign in the movie while watching it, I assume other movie people thought it was good too. Anyways, it's just a movie but feel compelled to write this because I was moved emotionally watching it.
Unsettling...
z-5030530 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I was totally expecting the standard happy Hollywood-style ending and it totally got me. I was like No!!!! That totally sucks for him. But I guess that's real life right?
The film is so reflective of the changing times we live in and how small the world is right now. Asia is so sophisticated, it's no longer the third world we think of it as.
They are the leaders in the world right now.
The film is so reflective of the changing times we live in and how small the world is right now. Asia is so sophisticated, it's no longer the third world we think of it as.
They are the leaders in the world right now.
Not sure why the rating is so high - vote inflation or something
ajeet_bajaj14 August 2018
I don't ever review any movies but I ended up watching this after seeing the 8.0 rating and that rating seems way higher than it should be. I watched this movie because I really liked watching "Already tomorrow in Hong Kong" and I thought this might be similar.
There is no comparison. I have never really been on stage or in a movie and I think I could act better than these actors. The dialogues seem forced and in some places it almost looks like they are recording a reading session rather than an actual scene. There is no emotion. The actors don't seem invested. Its pretty ridiculous.
Vote stuffing + fake reviews = failure
fullstqp25 May 2017
This film is most definitely not worth 7 stars. It is closer to 1/10 stars. It is a little too obvious that the people associated with this film are guilty of upvoting this film like crazy to inflate the rating. U know a film is bad when you see blatant vote stuffing.
There are three main problems with this film. The first is that there is zero chemistry on screen. Which leads to the second problem, the lead actor, Derek Ting, cannot act. I had watched his other film. I thought maybe Always would be better, given the suspiciously high rating. Nope. False advertising at its finest. The high ratings are totally fake - and that's the third problem with this film.
Just calling out BS when I see it.
I looked through Derek Ting's IMDb movies, I can confidently say that 90% of the reviews are fake and misleading. The 8,9,10 star BS reviews are so obviously fake. Someone even tried pushing the bad reviews to the second page to hide them. This is the kind of inauthenticity that smart people can see right through.
I never heard of this Hong Kong actor/director before, but I am determined to never watch another Derek Ting movie again.
There are three main problems with this film. The first is that there is zero chemistry on screen. Which leads to the second problem, the lead actor, Derek Ting, cannot act. I had watched his other film. I thought maybe Always would be better, given the suspiciously high rating. Nope. False advertising at its finest. The high ratings are totally fake - and that's the third problem with this film.
Just calling out BS when I see it.
I looked through Derek Ting's IMDb movies, I can confidently say that 90% of the reviews are fake and misleading. The 8,9,10 star BS reviews are so obviously fake. Someone even tried pushing the bad reviews to the second page to hide them. This is the kind of inauthenticity that smart people can see right through.
I never heard of this Hong Kong actor/director before, but I am determined to never watch another Derek Ting movie again.
Strong entertaining independent film about Hong Kong
pbbp-3303311 March 2016
I found 'Always' on NOWTV video on demand & enjoyed. Strong acting by Derek and Danni, cinematography shot in great locations in Hong Kong and Shanghai, cross-border love story also addressing issues of family obligations and finance industry ambitions. Loved the soundtrack! Been listening to Big Phony's music on rotation since watching, particularly song 'But I Will, Everyday'. Great to see a movie addressing serious real world issues in Hong Kong in an entertaining way. Those of us living & working in Asia will appreciate the reality of themes and story. Excellent to see such a well-made low-budget movie reaching a global audience. Congratulations to NiQ Lai for his producing credit. Wishing Derek, Joyce & team the best on this journey.
Dreadful film and fake 10 star reviews.
Leem400422 January 2016
This failed movie is a catastrophe. Cringe-worthy acting, clueless directing, and a dumb story make "Always" one of the worst films of the year. Do not watch unless you want to barf on yourself. Literally, it is that bad. This Hong Kong indie film is an insult to both Hong Kong and indie film. It is an embarrassment for the people who worked on this flop.
There are great actors who can make even bad movies watchable. Derek Ting is not one of them. "Always" is neither a watchable movie nor a good performance by Derek Ting. No number of fake 9-10 star reviews can help save this rubbish film.
On a more sympathetic note, "Always" is obviously these filmmakers' first movie attempt, so first-timer incompetence is unsurprising and it definitely shows. That being said, some first-timers do show early potential, an example being another indie Hong Kong romance "Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong" that came out the same year and, while not perfect, was charmingly well-made. I would watch this film instead, if you are interested in this type of Hong Kong love story. I would definitely not recommend "Always" to anyone, especially not for a date night film. LOL
There are great actors who can make even bad movies watchable. Derek Ting is not one of them. "Always" is neither a watchable movie nor a good performance by Derek Ting. No number of fake 9-10 star reviews can help save this rubbish film.
On a more sympathetic note, "Always" is obviously these filmmakers' first movie attempt, so first-timer incompetence is unsurprising and it definitely shows. That being said, some first-timers do show early potential, an example being another indie Hong Kong romance "Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong" that came out the same year and, while not perfect, was charmingly well-made. I would watch this film instead, if you are interested in this type of Hong Kong love story. I would definitely not recommend "Always" to anyone, especially not for a date night film. LOL
Good love story
angrybabykitty22 October 2015
Always is a beautifully written love story that will really draw you in. I was hooked from the beginning. Derek Ting really outdid himself with this one. This is the kind of film that you find yourself watching time and time again. You will feel a wide range of emotions from joy, anger, and sadness. I won't spoil it for you, but be sure and grab a tissue or two. It will really make you think about life and relationships.
The cinematography is breathtaking. I never realized how beautiful Hong Kong can be, and now I find myself wanting to visit because of this movie.
Liam (Derek Ting) and Yen (Danni Wang) are a very realistic couple and you find yourself really rooting for them. The actors are so realistic too, so you feel like you could find yourself and your partner in the characters.
I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone. It would make a great date night film.
The cinematography is breathtaking. I never realized how beautiful Hong Kong can be, and now I find myself wanting to visit because of this movie.
Liam (Derek Ting) and Yen (Danni Wang) are a very realistic couple and you find yourself really rooting for them. The actors are so realistic too, so you feel like you could find yourself and your partner in the characters.
I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone. It would make a great date night film.
Enjoyed it!
w-0494724 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I don't get to travel so much, so I really enjoyed this film. Hong Kong looks so modern! Shanghai is too! I highly recommend this movie to other people who are interested in seeing what Asia is like. We're going on a cruise there next month and I'm going to check out all the places in the movie! The love story was very intriguing, I wanted the main character to get the girl! though a little bit too real...I was sad at the very end!
Lacks ambition
sendspamhere-6886828 August 2022
My 'movie stream provider' mistakenly swapped the 1989 Spielberg movie for this one. I gave a try.
I noticed right away the low-budget feel and corner-cutting (the on screen app messages are a terrible idea). It makes good use of locations, though. The acting is amateurish but I remained curious about the plot.
Big mistake. The situations seems like a set up for something that never comes. That's a pedestrian movie that won't last in your memory. I think writer/director/actor lost the opportunity of doing something more ambitious given the creative control.
For the Spielberg movie, I also gave a 2/10.
I noticed right away the low-budget feel and corner-cutting (the on screen app messages are a terrible idea). It makes good use of locations, though. The acting is amateurish but I remained curious about the plot.
Big mistake. The situations seems like a set up for something that never comes. That's a pedestrian movie that won't last in your memory. I think writer/director/actor lost the opportunity of doing something more ambitious given the creative control.
For the Spielberg movie, I also gave a 2/10.
Great directing and cinematography
v-1531323 May 2017
The director has a great eye framing the shots and works so well with his cameraman. The transitions keep the film moving while conveying the mood of each scene. The colors and mood shifts when the movie takes a turn. This is a great unique love story that we rarely see, made for an international audience and it's beautiful to watch. Going to look out for more work from these talented filmmakers!
Poetic
zzzzz-3430622 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The romance between Liam and Yan was very well done, from their 1st meeting it felt natural, but kismet. I didn't have much interest in the legal story of it, but it was fine, and the movie built towards a very unexpected bittersweet ending. Yikes, that hurt so so bad. Strangely I guess that's just life nowadays...
Watch this!
pdmcclure0519 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The sort of film that makes you play Delius's 'Walk to the Paradise Garden' a few times.
Skillfully filmed and generally very well acted. Hard to get the penultimate(ultimate?) night out of ones head. How many times have we rewriten the ending in our minds, or even lived parts of the tale?
Now watch 'Burning'!!
Surprised me
z-4661926 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
My wife made me watch this on Prime. I normally watch action and horror movies. I have to say I got into it. There's's a lot of movies out there that aren't so good. Trust me, this is good.
The picture is very sharp and there's a lot of story lines going on. Hong Kong is beautiful. It did make me dislike lawyers even more...Hilarious argument scene with the main character and his boss.
The love story is got me...with an unexpected non-Hollywood ending.
The picture is very sharp and there's a lot of story lines going on. Hong Kong is beautiful. It did make me dislike lawyers even more...Hilarious argument scene with the main character and his boss.
The love story is got me...with an unexpected non-Hollywood ending.
Sweet, quirky film with a lovely soundtrack.
bnhatcmh13 February 2021
A love story taking place in Hong Kong is fraught with conditions dictated by family's traditions. The scenes are a bit wonky at times, yet there's an overall cohesive quality that keeps the story engaging. The journey is beautifully filmed with an artistic viewpoint and gorgeous audio ambience. If you're a fan of independent films, this may be a pleasant surprise.
Painfully Realistic
zzz-633292 June 2017
This has happened to me!
The two characters Yan and Liam remind me of the relationship I had in Hong Kong with a mainland Chinese. She came from a wealthy family and had serious issues with my family background, or at least her father did. Despite having been fairly successful in my career, it was never good enough.
This happens a lot and it's partly a cultural thing but also a part of the one child policy. So real. So so very real.
The two characters Yan and Liam remind me of the relationship I had in Hong Kong with a mainland Chinese. She came from a wealthy family and had serious issues with my family background, or at least her father did. Despite having been fairly successful in my career, it was never good enough.
This happens a lot and it's partly a cultural thing but also a part of the one child policy. So real. So so very real.
Underrated
zzzz-191143 June 2017
I saw this movie in China as I live in Shenzhen right now working at a technology company. It has an 8.5 rating on Tencent/Wechat(China's largest VOD and tech company) and has millions of views, but maybe since this is a US site, people are not aware of it? Derek Ting is very popular there with this and other movies.
I highly encourage anyone interested in China and Hong Kong to watch it. It's a great love story and one that happens a ton. It's in English which is a huge bonus for me!
I highly encourage anyone interested in China and Hong Kong to watch it. It's a great love story and one that happens a ton. It's in English which is a huge bonus for me!
Finally, an Asian Lead, there's hope for us
l-6252411 June 2017
With all the whitewashing controversy going on, I found this movie refreshing and invigorating.
This is a solid romance film that gives a unique perspective because of the leads backgrounds. It adds a lot of flavor for me as I'm really tired of seeing the same main characters with the same...well everything. Please cast somebody other than a guy named "Chris"!
The acting is wonderful, I won't reveal the ending but, the 2 actors really yanked heart strings. Everything about this film gives me goose bumps of where cinema can go!
This is a solid romance film that gives a unique perspective because of the leads backgrounds. It adds a lot of flavor for me as I'm really tired of seeing the same main characters with the same...well everything. Please cast somebody other than a guy named "Chris"!
The acting is wonderful, I won't reveal the ending but, the 2 actors really yanked heart strings. Everything about this film gives me goose bumps of where cinema can go!
True to reality
e-077908 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Everything in this film felt very real. The romance, the friendship, the work life of Liam. When he goes to China, I thought he was going to get the girl, but instead he realized he was never going to be with her. At least not in this lifetime. Unfortunate circumstances in this modern age, in his pursuit of happiness, he took the wrong path and is left nowhere. He must pick up the pieces of his life and start over.
See also
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