20: 30: 40

20: 30: 40

***

Reviewed by: Trinity

Three different women, at three different stages in their lives, allow their individual relationships to live out in the dynamic city of Taipei - Jie, an aspiring pop star from Malaysia seeks fame, Xiang, a flighty air hostess has a penchant for men (albeit the wrong ones) and Lily, a flower shop owner, searches for new love when her life is shattered.

Each is shaken as much as the city by earthquakes. For Jie, it provides an opportunity to prove that she can be a success. Xiang realises that she wants to settle down and Lily discovers that her husband has not only been having an affair but setting up an entire separate life with a younger woman. Will they find what they are looking for, or simply move meekly on?

Copy picture

Director Sylvia Chang, an established actress, who also plays the character of Lily, has taken stories created by the three leads and created a film of refreshingly non-intertwining stories and nice characterisation. In particular those of Jie (Lee Sinje), Tong (Kate Yeung) and their grizzled producer (Anthony Wong, adding bittersweet humour) are full of life and exuberence.

In another nice touch the girls idol, Tony Leung, cameos as a sensitive businessman, whom Lily meets in the gym. However, the other stories seem somewhat flat by comparison, although Lily's escapades with a younger tennis coach raise laughs.

The film shows that people fall in love, people grow up and people leave, but lacks the cohesion to let us know what makes a person.

Reviewed on: 27 Aug 2004
Share this with others on...
20: 30: 40 packshot
Three women, three stages in life, one city.
Amazon link

Director: Sylvia Chang

Writer: Sylvia Chang, GC Goo Bi, Cat Kwan

Starring: Sylvia Chang, Rene Liu, Kate Yeung, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Lee Sinje

Year: 2004

Runtime: 113 minutes

BBFC: 12 - Age Restricted

Country: Taiwan/Hong Kong

Festivals:

EIFF 2004

Search database: