As a long-time champion of underrated Hong Kong director Derek Chiu, I was delighted when 'So Good' reviewer Kenneth Brorsson alerted me to this new release. A low budget rom-com that slipped under the radar of just about everyone, the prospect of 'Love Is Love' had me envisaging another 'Love Au Zen' or even the recent 'Love Trilogy'. Unfortunately, this Mainland production is a major disappointment, making scant use of Chiu's abilities even within this film's triumvirate of directors. The quirky, off-kilter style that is the Derek Chiu stamp is completely absent from this pallid, trying production; if Mr. Chiu had any input into this film other than making tea for the cast and crew, I would be surprised not to say disappointed.

Nick Cheung is wooden though that term at least implies he is three-dimensional which he is not. After Johnny To gave him such a chance to shine in 'Breaking News', it's difficult to see him play a supposedly sympathetic character so blandly. He's certainly not helped by his woefully written part and having to appear besotted with such a harpy of a love interest - Jing is a whinging tyrant who we (and, you would think, he) care little about. Cheung is also paired up with a 'supercomputer' with a particularly atonal Mandarin drawl, spouting out such incisive remarks on relationships as 'If you ask her out there is a 50% chance she will say 'yes' and 50% chance she will say 'no'; why thank you Mr. Computer for unravelling the mysteries of the fairer sex. Surrounded by such figures, you half expect Ming to jump in the Huangpu river and be done with it.

'Love Is Love' has one minor saving grace and that is the ever watchable Shanghai locales. The directors make reasonably good use of the settings and at least allow the very tiresome drama to have the air of the exotic. However, any danger of being seduced by Shanghai's sights is beaten out of the viewer by a cacophonous piano score which overpowers every single scene. The soundtrack offers the kind of sonic assault that the C.I.A could make use of next time they want to overthrow a government. 'Love Is Love' is a skeletal rom-com with every feeling sucked out and populated by people you would cross the road, no the M4, to avoid. Such drastic action might also be taken when confronted by a potential viewing of this film.

Slipping under almost everyone's radar, this Mainland China production in its native country had the English title My Computer Can Speak while the Hong Kong version carried the title Love Is Love (not to be confused with the Stephen Chow movie of the same name). Of note in this very low-budget production is the addition of Hong Kong's Derek Chiu as one of the three directors. A talent that has for years given us his special, distinct and quirky flavour to movies, in particular through works like Comeuppance and Love Au Zen. Sadly his busy 90s pace has slowed down significantly, even though he was in charge of the larger but ultimately only average commercial comedy Frugal Game in 2002. The acclaimed pan-Asian casted Love Trilogy saw him return to his free for all and clever low-key style but of course it was almost as anonymous as the movie at hand here. Which is a shame but I'm very much confident in Chiu's skills still and it's my pleasure to shine a spotlight on his latest work...

...even though it's not a special creation in any way. Directors Chiu, Su Youchen & Wu Guo Ping puts in time in the fields of good and bad with this romantic drama. Thankfully far removed from wackiness and surreal humour that, in a bad way, seems to populate Hong Kong romantic comedies nowadays, the entire low-key nature to Love Is Love makes the film take a beating for a large portion of the running time. There are annoyances in the relatively little supporting character gallery, some story strands such as Zhang's toying with Jiaming comes off as incoherent and it's hard not to feel bored as Jiaming tries to make Zhang fall for him with the aid of his talking computer. The latter aspect being rather irrelevant even though it's a puzzle piece for the plot. Actors Nick Cheung and Wei Lai create little chemistry amongst the created atmosphere by the filmmakers as well and there's not much said about the lives of these two lonely urban souls.

But proceedings ARE elevated as the second half comes along (enter Derek Chiu?) and Love Is Love becomes something akin to semi-pleasant in its ways. Finally the low-key nature to the direction pays off in the interplay between the characters and in the touches of quirky humour as well. The theme of loneliness and regaining courage never resonate to a classically romantic level but there is something a little sympathetic and ever so slightly heartfelt about these two souls trying to find a footing as reclusive strangers in the big city. Never gripping or touching as such and featuring wall to wall with manipulative music (some of which works), the film kind of does succeed for a while and up till the end, with the acting interplay between Cheung and Wei Lai being stronger than earlier. That doesn't mean Love Is Love has enough chops to rival films like An Autumn's Tale but for the moment and for those trying to look up the hidden titles, it's not a terribly wasted 30 Hong Kong dollars and 90 minutes.

But you can also flip the coin and rightfully argue that Love Is Love is very much unremarkable and you would be right. However followers of Derek Chiu's style, especially his quirkiness in terms of humour or in the visuals department, will appreciate the slight detour in just that during the film and while all would appreciate if Chiu got the chance (or has the ability still?) to do another Love Au Zen or Comeuppance, it's actually just nice enough to see him get any kind of work. With a slight breakout performance by Nick Cheung and a generally pleasing romance within a flawed package, it's a sure recommendation for fans of Chiu. Ones that easily will recognize Love Is Love as a problematic work and that the multi-team of directors seems to be a problem in itself.