The Secret

Aug 07, 2007 23:45

Perhaps he knew all eyes are on him, perhaps he is really talented in the art, or perhaps he has lots of supports because of his current status…

Whatever it is, I have new found respect for Jay Chou.

His debut directorial full length feature proved that he is not just a successful pop idol and song writer, his passion in making film made him a sincere director.

Of course there are elephant loop holes in the plot and the not-so-original twist two-third into the film is a little over-the-top. But the first act of the film not only proved his ability to tell a story, it also showed case his excellent skill with the piano, and the character is so tailored that his dead-pan expression and rushed staccato speech seemed so natural for the talented-school-boy protagonist.

The cinematography is great too with lots of long zoom to create a clear subject with out-of-focus background, carefully selected locations like a walk along a water-front with the chaarcters bathing in the golden sun-set, a run along an old wooden bridge that zig-zag among an abundance of green, and nice production sets like an old piano in an even older wooden-panelled room with lots of thick hardcover books to suit the mood.

Guey Lun-mei, the lead actress, is not exceptionally pretty but she has a certain artist quality that fit the role. She has the mouth of Julie Mayer (Andrea Bowen) of Desperate Housewives and 令路 (Lee Ip-sae) of 大長今.

Anthony Wong reprised the role of Chou's dad after Initial D with his usual natural performance.

Overall, it's a sincere film to watch.

And I think it’s Chou's piano performance that got me over to his camp.
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