With the recent passing of Benny chan, the Hong Kong movie fandom have lost one of the most prolific and interesting directors that the British ex-colony have gave us in the last 30 years. But moaning is always useless, specially in this hopeless world that we live in, and the best way celebrate his life and timeless legacy is remembering the unforgetable work that he has left in this world.
This eternal “Moment of Romance” was his impressive debut behind the cameras back in 1990, backed up by Johnnie To as producer, Benny delivered one of the most beloved and most representatives titles in Hong Kong movie history. A heartbreaking love story between two misfits that find each other by coincidence just to share a moment of romance in a world of triads and ruthless violence, where there is no place for happy endings.
Andy Lau in the early years of his today legendary career, portrayed one of his most iconic and today remembered roles, that represents the pinnacle of all those tragic heroes that he played in his younger years. A character that earned him the nickname of “Wah Dee” between fans, the name of the character that he plays in the film.
Jackilyn Wu supported Lau in this memorable love story, playing the typical rich girl who falls in love with the hopeless charming thug. Throwing herself entirely into his arms, being completely aware that their moment of romance won´t last long, but wanting to enjoy it at its fullest, whatever the consequences may be. Lau and Wu made an incredible screen couple with so much chemistry transcending the movie screen, stealing heartbeats of generations of movie fans around the world.
Accompanied by the wonderful soundtrack by HK Rock band “Beyond”, the film might have a simple script but is adapted into the screen in a terrific montage that delivers a special magic that manages to transport the audience in an exciting journey to the darkest streets of Hong Kong, in which the joys and sufferings of the characters becomes part of oneself until the very last frame, and remains in the corners of the heart where we keep our movie memories forever.
Thanks Benny Chan for this eternal “Moment of Romance” and for the rest of hours of cinematic entertainment that made this mad world a better place and our lives a bit better.
RIP BENNY CHAN (1961-2020)
