Metade Fumaça (1999)

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Ban Zhi Yan is a tender movie about the memory of a lifetime. It's sure to be a sentimental film for Chinese audiences, especially because of its theme song, Teresa Teng's Wo Zhi Zai Hu Ni (I Only Care For You). One of the lines in the song is especially poignant, considering the determination of Pao Ge to find the woman in his memory. It goes, "...losing my life wouldn't be a shame..." which is just as well as Pao Ge is willing to do anything to find the one thing in his life that matters to him.It's a dramatic, symbolic, sad, beautiful, very human and at times, funny film to behold. Sandra Ng is especially funny as Third Sister, the Lady Boss.You will find that it will linger in your mind long after its brilliance has faded upon your TV/computer screen... And if by some chance, you managed to forget it, you will remember again, when you hear that song... Or when you encounter a half-smoked cigarette.

this film def. needs more exposure because of the great camera work and great acting. the story is subtle and action packed in different parts of the film and you will never forget several moments like the scene under the piano. each character has a special element to their persona, which adds more to this very under appreciated film. this was one of nicholas tse's first films, who is a HK "pop" star. although i sometimes doubt his acting abilities, i must say his performance in this film is extraordinary. also, the song he sang for the film fits perfectly with the feeling this film gives to his audience. eric tsang did his usual good job as a lackey who gets vindicated, and i thought the performances by sam lee and stephen fung were hilarious. don't like shu qi that much but her role is very symbolic more than important. this is a film not to be missed, so go on yesasia.com and buy it.

I thought Metade Fumaca (Portuguese - meaning "Half Smoked") was a great drama from HK. Eric Tsang and Nicholas Tse gave the performances of their careers as former Triad member Mountain Leopard and rascal Smokey. The story was an odd one but it had some symbolism. Mountain Leopard carries a half-smoked cigarette as a memento from a long lost love. Even Stephen Fung gave out a great performance as the young Mountain Leopard (in flashback mode). This movie is worth seeing: great story, great camerawork, and great performances.