Love on a Diet

Rating:
Summary: Shoushen Nannou
Review: I have not laughed so hard at a movie in many years.
This is an excellent comedy. Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng were
both very funny. Having to read the subtitles did not detract
from this movie at all.

Rating:
Summary: Oishi!
Review: This is a must for Hong Kong film connoisseurs. Set in Japan, it is about 300-pound Mini Mo (Sammi Cheng) who made a vow ten years ago with her old boyfriend-turned-musical superstar (Kurokawa), who apparently doesn't recognize her anymore. Early in the movie, she meets a pudgy Hong Konger, Fatso (Andy Lau) who gets dragged into helping Mini achieve "Mission Impossible" - lose 200 pounds in six months. Mini starts to get thinner, and so is Fatso's patience. But what started as an exhausting ordeal soon turns to unexpected romance...Mini now has to decide between two men. My butchered summary isn't enough to do this film justice. With brilliant make-up magic, a new side of both Sammi Cheng and Andy Lau are seen. The comedy, I think, is more situational and visual, so don't go relying on the storyline. In addition to the comedy, even the dramatic scenes are very strong and well-done. The popular cheeziness that Hong Kong movies are reputed with is definitely not in here. It's very fresh stuff as a whole. And, as a DVD edition, it comes with a behind the scenes feature, which shows the make-up process, characterization and direction of the film, and loads of commentaries from the director, Andy, Sammi, even the make-up guys. Really interesting how they come up with these things.

It's an intriguing, somewhat socially critical movie. It is also a sensitive topic to touch on, but it is very lighthearted in contrast. In no way does this movie intentionally or unintentionally offend anyone, which is a good thing. Just thought I might add this point.

And so, as they say in Japan: Oishi! (Delicious!) Don't pass up this movie!