| It's all talk, talk, talk when Raymond To writes and directs the adaptation of his own stageplay Miss Du Shi Niang. What initially, through the on-screen narrator Lydia Shum, threatens to be a stiff period comedy, unexpectedly develops into a rather bleak tale of greed and impossible love between social classes.
Michelle Reis supports the writing well with her presence while Daniel Wu is miscast for both this kind of role and theatrical writing. Thankfully To maintains interest through his screenplay and while at times clear as day with his themes, there's a fair amount to be deciphered here, and we're glad to do it. His off hands approach and restricted scope to the movie may prove bothersome for one crowd but another one may find an unexpected liking to this vision. |
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