Simply Actors, Simply Hong Kong

"Simply Actors" reminded me of the kinds of movies that Hong Kong made in the 1980s. They were films that were unapologetic for just having a good time. The success of "Simply Actors" at the box office speaks for the Hong Kong zeitgeist. Like Robin Williams said in "Dead Poet's Society": "Carpe diem." Property prices are up, enjoy while you can.

"Simply Actors" is distributor Golden Scene's first foray into production. The film is basically a love letter to the craft of acting and to Hong Kong movies. It is funny, it is entertaining. It just makes you feel good. It doesn't pretend to save the world, but that is ok. All this works very well for a local crowd, though not yet sure how it will play to non-Hong Kongers. (We'll know in a few months when it opens in 100+ screens in mainland China.)

Respected theatre performer Jim Chim carries the movie though at times his stage training becomes a bit over-bearing on screen. And like I wrote in the IHT, Charlene Choi was a revelation -- she showed potential of going beyond the decorative function that she is usually assigned.

One of the traits I love about Hong Kong's people is that it is a culture that doesn't wallow too much in the forensics of problems, in inadequacies and could have beens. Folks here get angry, they get their hearts broken, they celebrate triumphs when they happen. Best of all, they just get on with life. And they laugh.

Alex.