Jennifer (Cherie Cheung) is a shy and a bit naive woman who after two years of saving is moving to New York to study acting. Over there she is also going to reunite with her boyfriend Vincent (the late Danny Chan). Her family has arranged for her to live in the same apartment block as distant cousin Figgy (Chow Yun-Fat) who they think is some sort of local leader in Chinatown and therefore rich.

Upon her arrival in New York, Jennifer's life goes downhill though. Vincent has found another woman and Figgy is all but rich. During the days he works as a waiter in a restaurant and the rest of his free time is spent at the gambling tables. Figgy is also a man who takes one day at a time and is happy as long as he has a roof over his head. The apartment he has set up for Jennifer is in a state of chaos and with all this negative aspects against her, she sinks into depression. The always life affirming Figgy does what he can to cheer her up and after a while Jennifer finds her place in New York and in Figgy's heart...

What we have here is a simple little story made big because everything literally gels! Heck, even some of the gwailo actors do some form of commendable work! Mabel Cheung's direction is quite minimal which allows for a very welcome subtlety that relies much on the chemistry of its main stars. Chow Yun-Fat and Cherie Cheung feels so genuine together that you often think you're actually looking at these two characters but at the same time two superb actors at work. Not an easy combination to achieve. Much of this is also due to Alex Law's sensitive script that allows the New York setting to enhance the very simple characteristics of the bond that happens between Figgy and Jennifer.

In my opinion, this is Chow Yun-Fat's best performance to date. Figgy is not a complex character at all but that is what makes him speak more to a true reality rather than a movie one. Playing an ordinary human with ordinary needs is the hardest kind of acting and it takes great focus directing-wise to pull it off. Only a few actors could've have done justice to Figgy. Chow Yun-Fat is one of them. Cherie Cheung's acting can be a bit harder to grasp since her character goes through this rollercoaster of emotions throughout the film but both the naive and tender side to her character is handled with great aplomb by the actress.

It's not only the actors who shine bright in this movie. The awardwinning cinematography by James Hayman (with additional photography by David Cheung, presumably responsible for the Hong Kong shoot) has exactly the type of look I love. It's not done in a fancy way and it almost feels like it's natural lightning throughout. Since it's a simple story the cinematography should reflect that subtlety on behalf of Mabel Cheung and it does tenfold. If you want beauty, go see a Zhang Yimou movie however! New York is a beautiful place but set in rubbish environments for a reason. No less magical of a romance despite. Lowell Lo's simple but beautiful piano music fits perfect also.

Mabel Cheung's movie is a true romance classic not only in Hong Kong Cinema but also World Cinema. It's a film you'll fall in love with on every viewing and needless to say, this is THE favourite movie of mine. Period.