Again supporting new talent, genuine entertainer and as years have gone by, solid to great dramatic actor Eric Tsang co-produced this bankable genre stuff directed by newcomers Andrew Loo & Maurice Li. The latter have solid credits as editor, in particular on Riley Yip films such as Metade Fumaca and Just One Look and casting bankable talent such as Karena Lam might equal more than just watchable fluff for fans of that star? And Ekin Cheng? It indeed does and goes to show that even when you make commercial fluff, you'll have to invest more than Feel 100% did. I bet Ekin found that out when making It Had To Be You.

The setup revolves around a restaurant and the poster art shows all kinds of dangerous, wacky side characters bound to destroy matters with some otherworldly shenanigans. Some of that rings true as the setup and its characters are indeed there but rarely strays outside of the logical framework and our dual directors surely have found out how to conduct business by watching one or two mainstream exercises such as this. Being a UFO production as well, no unpredictable elements when dealing here with urban love are put forth but the production is well steered by Andrew Loo and Maurice Li who have really focused on making pre-packaged, predictable layers that more often than not affect even basically. A little bit more than basically affecting and pleasant is up on the scoreboard when final score is tallied up.

Designing It Had To Be You around the hate turning to love relationship and a few corny life philosophies written out on screen between key episodes of the narrative structure, Loo and Li provide a good focus on all manner of situations that occur. Whether it's the initial meetings of characters, setting up their love predicaments or doing the odd comedic turn with the waiters in the kitchen. They mean business but not too much business as these are new filmmakers after all but boy is it sound to bring the idea of clinching the benchmark in terms of the genre standard. And they do. Central idea of the desire of real, honest love is cemented, with leads being second fiddles in their respective relationships and not realizing you can't live with fake love. Heck, even the imaginary dog of Jill's is a symbolism of this that doesn't intrude. So when Jack and Jill develops a fondness for each other that turns to friendship where friends help friends in need to the all so predictable romance by the end, you begin to truly realize the value getting cast chemistry right.

Karena Lam shines in every frame, being totally real even when excursions mood-wise are about being bubbly as well as showcasing hurt and heart. It's truly revolutionary then to see Ekin Cheng follow so well in her footsteps and being a needed part of the duo to lead the audience into a super-pleasant ride of expected expectations. Eric Tsang supports well and even performs a neatly balanced, emotional scene towards the end that is a dangerous proposition as you'll know when it hits. The triangle the characters are in never dips into sap. It's just a throughline of trying to reach a better conclusion that's on the horizon and nothing said is of the poignant kind (especially not during the very conveniently setup finale). There are still very sound philosophies and pretty pleasant cinema. And for that, It Had To Be You deserves a to be rolled around in your gob to find even the limited tastes. They're there...and unusually tasty.

Jill (Lam) is the hard worker cook at a Hong Kong bistro who is completely devoted to her boyfriend Chi despite the fact that he continues to see other women. Desperate to hold on to him and happily lapping up his excuses for lack of commitment, Jill holds out for the day when arrogant charmer Chi will finally devote himself to her. In a similar predicament to Jill is talented chef Jack (Cheng) who is turned inside out by his manipulative girlfriend Grace. Though the two have much in common, Jill initially pre-judges Jack as a lethario and, when he goes on to work with her, lets her colleagues know her prejudiced viewpoints. Eventually though, both come to appreciate their mutual situation and act as the proverbial shoulder for the other to cry on. Gradually the pair discover that their ideal partner is the other, but their life of emotional servitude is not yet over.

It's fair to say that 'It Had To Be You' requires a fairly substantial suspension of belief. To see the charming Karena Lam treated so badly by her posturing boyfriend is bad enough, but to see her appealing character accept it for so long is a bitter pill to swallow; indeed the prospect of seeing our protagonists in this situation for the duration of the film is hardly a palatable one. This, though, is where 'It Had To Be You' tries to set itself apart from its contemparies despite the obvious adherence to convention. Instead of using the 'big moments' that such genre flicks constantly utilise to sign-post transitions of mood in their narratives, directors Andrew Loo and Maurice Li favour a more understated approach.

The rom-com genre is too well established to spring any surprises - the same cliches and the typical development of the relationships is doggedly stuck to in this production. Nonetheless, the real charm of the film is its allowance to let the background characters play a part in the overall storyline. These characters are also not the usual 'quirky' best friend roles that infest such narratives, instead they are well written players in the overall romance presented here. Kudos goes to the film-makers for developing the character of Jill's deaf mother and creating a genuine chemistry between her and her daughter; the scenes that feature these two performers have an earnestness that has the tinge of reality. Eric Tsang is also welcome as Jill's boss, showing a wisecracking style early on only to then be given a very poignant scene late on in the film. The insertion of such an effective examination of grief is a million miles away from the genre norm, but succeeds admirably.

'It Had To Be You' is not ground-breaking enough to attract firm detractors of the genre, but there is a vibrancy that is hard not to warm to. Karena Lam continues to enchant and she also strikes up a solid partnership with Ekin Cheng, an actor who will forever be haunted by his critics but manages once again to impress this reviewer with his efforts. Perhaps I'm easily pleased, but I found the lead pair to be particularly adept at playing to each other's strengths and they subsequently made a believable couple.

For those who have had their fingers burnt on numerous occasions by Hong Kong rom-coms, I offer up 'It Had To Be You' as a partial redemption. As with 'Love On The Rocks', this is an effort that punches above its weight despite its generic conventions. It may not be art, but there's enough virtues here for those who care to look.