Film Review: A Simple Life (P.G.), (Hong Kong 2011) (Cantonese, English & Mandarin with English Subtitles) (Director: Ann Hui), Monday 20.08.2012 14:30, The Filmhouse Screen Two, Edinburgh

This is a tale of a lady known as Ah Tao (Played by Deannie Yip) who has served a family for 60 years, when she experiences a stroke. It is at that point she states a wish to retire and move in to a care home. The family she had served ensures this is taken care of. There is only one member of the served family left, who is called Roger (Played by Andy Lau) the rest having moved to the U.S.A. The film is a study of the relationship between these two as it enters this new phase where the servant becomes served.

The acting by and between the lead two performers is quite remarkable. It has a very naturalistic feel, almost as if this could be a documentary with no voice over leading the way. I would say that there is no drama as such in the film. The pleasure I found was upon noticing the subtleties of the relating between the lead two, and how these expressions evolve as the relationship does. Although I was very impressed, I also had a sense of there being something missing/lacking, somehow falling short. It is very difficult to put my finger on why this feels to have been an exceptional film in many respects, though not quite without fault. Unsure as to what else to say. I would recommend.

Rating: 09/10.