Cape No. 7 (2008)

Very well executed

Admirable film.

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Analysis of this movies phenomenal popularity in Taiwan has cited cultural, historical, social and political reasons. To the general audience outside Taiwan, this movie's appeal comes from its affecting story of a group musical oddball underdog, a proliferation of likable characters (from pop superstar to humble "little people") and a duo of parallel love stories (which reminds me, strangely of "Possession" (2002), an unlikely yet plausible comparison).I'll start from the end. While people may have different view on whether "Cape no. 7" is sufficiently engaging throughout its entire 129 minutes of running time, the vote seems unanimous that the last 15 minutes is a climatic finale well worth waiting for. By that time, the audience would have developed a firm empathy with some (or likely all) of the members of the local (a quaint little resort town by the ocean in the south of Taiwan) band assembled in a most haphazard fashion to do the warm-up for a visiting Japanese pop super star. With a recruiting process that reminds you of "The magnificent seven" and training process that reminds you of "Dirty dozen", the final rock band that is supposed to showcase local talent comprises all kinds of odd ball characters imaginable (and, indeed, unimaginable) - from a preteen little girl as cool as cucumber at key board and an 80-year-old man who, deficient in his attempt to learn the bass guitar, sneaks up with his tradition Chinese instrument the full-moon (referring to the shape) lute that blends surprisingly well with the pop group. What the climatic finale reminds me of is another concert scene at the end of a Japanese movie called Yomigaeri (or Resurrection).The lead of the band is a talented pop musician Aga who, failing to get his break, gives up on music and works as a postman. The audience however knows where his heart is, seeing his fingering the string that ties a parcel as if it were a guitar string. The love story is of course his, and one that takes a format that always works – a relationship that starts as a fight. The girl is a Japanese wannabe model who, ending up being an organizer-cum-PR-person for the concert, gets stuck in this forsaking place. Two unhappy people throw in a situation with endless potential for conflict generates ample comic scene that eventually leads to romance. Parallel to this is a love story told through letters written by an old man who recently died in Japan and now sent by his daughter to an unknown address which Aga has to deliver too.I started by mentioning three things that will appeal to the general audience. In addition to the music and the love story, there are so many characters in this movie that it will take a few pages to describe them all. Many of them have their own stories, and even those of whom we know very little generate interests in their own various ways. And there is no villain in this movie.This is huge crowd pleaser that has something for almost everybody. To me, it's the rapport between the members of the band and their final coming together to make exhilarating music.

Grown up in Taiwan and now living in US, I think the movie is great although the story line isn't that impressive. I also doubt if anyone other than Taiwanese people can fully understand/appreciate the jokes in the movie as many jokes are very specific to Taiwanese culture. Also, the characters are just like people you are gonna see in the street everyday(other than Taipei, which is the biggest/most modern city in Taiwan). 10 minutes after the movie starts, I felt I am one of them already. It is some attachment that foreign people might not be able to get it.I wish the movie can have great success overseas though. If they can even make it to US movie market, I am gonna buy 20 tickets and ask my friends here to watch. :D

I live in Taiwan and saw this with English subtitles at my local cinema in Tainan. It's not a stunning movie but it is very engaging and charming and best of all depicts many of the charming and engaging qualities of this country. The storyline follows two love affairs - one of 60 years earlier and the other unfolding in the present day. The acting is fine, the humor works well, it is well photographed and the music that pulls several of the subplots together lifts the already high mood and tone into a moving climax.I'm glad I saw it and feel I know Taiwan a little better through watching this movie - and spent 2 very enjoyable hours doing so.

It's really a wonderful story. I myself live in Taiwan and I just don't like it here. BUt that movie was taken in Tainan and it was really well. I loves it . IT felt really magical and all. THere were a few humor and comedy.... ITs actually funny and romantic. Also it's really nice with the songs and letters from years ago. IT's beautifully written. I recommend it way thru!!!! Its wroth the money. There are beautiful scenes of Taiwan which was really great. SO many Taiwanese have been crazy about it. They even sell the old Mao glasses online for 10000nt or so. And the guitar. Now the lampposts that Aga hit in Taipei is famous too.