Perhaps Love (2007)

Why do I love Asian cinema? because the continent seems to be the biggest place in the world where people are in love with film. they break the rules they break the bounds and they make things that nobody else is doing.A musical of sorts, this is the story of an actor who once wanted to be a director, an actress who once loved the actor but now is now involved with her director, and the director who loves the actress even though he knows she may leave him. They are all making a musical film which in movie tradition parallels the triangle that exists in real life.. Its an often jaw dropping, eye popping emotional film. To be sure it doesn't always make complete sense, partly because the frame work confuses things a bit too much, and partly because I don't think all of the elements are there, but at the same time the music, the images and the emotion just carry you along. Many people here on IMDb compare it to Moulin Rouge but I don't think thats fair since this film really only compares to that film in that they are musicals. This is a movie musical that knows what it is and knows how to use the conventions of movies and musicals to great effect.Honestly I'll have to watch it again to determine how much I like it- and yet at the same time I want to go out and show it to people. I want to show it to people and explain- you want to know why I love movies here watch this or If you want to know what a movie is suppose to be watch this. Its magical- from the opening narration about how we are all the directors of our lives- to the final fade out this is pure movie magic.If you love movie or musicals you do want to see this....

This movie was no doubt very unclear, so it leaves plenty to the audiences imagination. A good thing, yes for some movies, but in this case...no. When certain movies decide to leave things unclear and let's the audience to interpret it themselves, there is a significant reason why they do that. But for this movie, there simply isn't.I found it more funny then actually dramatic. The music was good but for a musical, it doesn't make the audience want to learn and dance to the songs. Comparing it to the Moulin Rouge, there is no doubt the Moulin Rouge is much better, music and theatrical wise. I found it a bit dragged on and how there was no real significance overall in the story. This movie is not a waste of time, it has it's moments only because of the great performances from the main 3 characters, so the verdict of "Perhaps Love" 5/10Chow

I watched this movie during its recent release in Singapore. I'm not particular musical fan. But this movie is really worth to watch. It's simple story, about love triangle, but I guess the credit goes to its wonderful, simple and touching delivery. Its flashback delivery makes this movie unique. Frankly speaking, it was kinda confusing at the beginning but as the story flows, you may feel the movie touch slowly. Started with how Lin Jian Dong (starting Takeshi Kaneshiro) acts together with Sun Na (starring Zhou Xun) in musical love triangle show, that actually tells the story about their love journey a decade ago. And the movie director Nie Wen (starring Jacky Cheung)trapped in love triangle between the lead actor and actress.With Takeshi's handsome face, Zhou Xun's good acting and not to mention Jacky Cheung's beautiful and clear voice, it's indeed a good movie to catch!

I like the actors and actress, the set design, the costumes, the songs and dancing. The frames are beautiful. I like the photography, the angles were special. I feel the characters are like communicating with the viewers directly, in a good way - it's the point of view I guess. The dancing segments are wonderful. I particularly like the dancing in the lanes of old Shanghai (the Shanghai Studio Backlots), those street girls, and the wondering Kaneshiro... It's fantastic. A first-class musical scene and performance and design.However, I don't think it's a real musical. Maybe it's not good to judge a film from genres, but it would have felt much better if there were more dancing and singing scenes. The story is perfect for a musical, I mean, simple, melancholy, dramatic. There are simply not enough musical scenes. And it seems to me the girl should dominate the singing, and also Takeshi Kaneshiro. But it seems to me Jacky Cheung is the one who really sings and sings the most - he is a superb singer, but...And the story - I don't think it's organized as a commercial film, but this is obviously a 'commercial-style' of a film. I imagine it would be more enjoyable if the story were told in a clearer way, especially at the beginning, and were told more like a musical with more dancing and singing. So when the viewers walk out of the cinema, their mind still enjoys the visual beauty of the stage and dance, the lingering music and songs, and then feel a bit melancholy of the story - the enjoyment of cinema..Still, I like the film. I've never seen a better Chinese musical.