| There is nothing like a movie to remind you of how short and precious life, except a real death. It is not often that I cry in movies dealing with death. Having witnessed a couple of deaths of people who were close to me, I find movie depictions cheesey and sometimes insulting. I found it difficult to cry in "Ghost" and was almost kicked out of the theatre for sniggling at the Patrick Swayze's facial twitches and the evil people being carried off by the moving cement. I was reduced to tears by The English Patient when I first watched it. But that was in my teens when I thought the most romantic way for a movie or relationship to end was for someone to confess their love and die. Afterwards, I realised Count Almazy's love was selfish and obsessive. He should have told the English that he was Clifton. That is all he had to say to get them out there to rescue Katherine. Then there was the death in Amadeus and I have to admit that I was completely moved by that scene. I think the power of Mozart's Requiem had a lot to do with it. But I digress.
The film is based on a real life story about a young Hong Kong hemophilliac, Chi Mo (Chris Lee), who died after contracting HIV in blood transfusion. The movie is based on his prize winning best sellers detailing his lifelong battle with hemophillia and the fight for his life. The movie focusses on his relationship with his mother played by Sylvia Chang and how she copes after his death. By the time the movie has begun, Chi Mo has already died. We find out about his life through a series of flashbacks. In the "present day" the mother is helping an HIV positive lady deal with her illness. This role is played by Josie Ho, daughter of magnate Stanley Ho.
Other critics have commented that the film's strong religious overtones and its sentimentality is off putting. These critics must be made of stone. The story itself is so tragic, of course it is sentimental. The poor kid died before he started to live, but still managed to live a lot more than most of us. It is a film that makes you appreciate life. Religion was part of the story, because it was part of the characters lives, and it is religion that helped the family come to terms with the hand fate had dealt them.
An incredibly poignant scene is when a girl that Chi Mo is secretly in love with promises that she will play the piano for him when she returns from her studies in England. She does, only that he is no longer alive. Another scene of note is when Chi Mo has come to terms with being HIV positive and decides to have a bit of fun with his best friend. This scene rivals the rose scene in American Beauty anyday.
The make up for when Chi Mo had full blown AIDS could have been improved upon. At one stage, he just looks like an old Chinese opera singer who forgot to take off his make up. But that is my only real criticism of the film. Chi Mo said that his reason for living was to teach others how to live, and he is right. I sure as hell felt a lot better about my life after the film and found inspiration in him. I am glad that these books were made into film format because I would otherwise not have had access to this story.
If anyone can tell me what the name of Chi Mo's favourite song is, please email me@Fiaja.com I never knew that a such a simple commercial piece could be so gut wrenchingly poignant. | 
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