Torrent of Desire (1969)
David (Qiao Zhuang) and Mona (Yu Qian) are a spoiled brother-and-sister duo who carelessly use the family fortune to while away their time. David's friend Hanming (Yang Fan) introduces him to the lovely Danfeng (Jenny Wu), and despite Hanming's quiet infatuation with her, David moves in quickly. David and Danfeng get married, but lasting bliss is not in the cards. Mona develops a serious case of jealousy against Danfeng for snatching her brother AND being the object of Hanming's affection. Her barbed tongue and feminine wiles prove powerful enough to sow seeds of discord among the quartet of friends and lovers. Can this wicked web of love, lust and jealousy end happily for anyone?
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Thanks for the memories!
Strong and Moving!
what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
This is a fairly fast paced melodrama with some songs thrown in. The beautiful Eurasian Jenny Hu plays Danfeng, who is just out of school, who meets David, a rich man's son whose life has been aimless, loose women and too much drinking. When he meets Danfeng, he is more than understandably taken with her and reforms. David's best friend Hanming, though he seems to also have a crush on Danfeng, encourages their relationship, at least partially so David will straighten out. David's sister Mona, played by future Category 3 actress Angela Yu Chien, is even more irresponsible than David, with a different guy every time you see her and also having a penchant for alcohol. David marries Danfeng and Danfeng becomes pregnant. At that time, Davis learns from his doctor that his chances for fathering a child are slim and he accuses Danfeng and Hanming of having an affair. I could go on explaining this, but they packed a lot of pathos into this film. Angela Yu Chien practically steals the show, being loud, drunk, unrepentant and sardonic throughout, while Jenny Hu mostly is reserved. The film is somewhat of a wild ride, but if you're a fan of melodrama, especially Shaw Brothers Melodrama, this is essential. It is beautifully photographed and you get to see much of the outskirts of Hong Kong. Not perfect, but at a relatively short 86 minutes it keeps your interest.