Crossing Hennessy
Encyclopedia
Crossing Hennessy is a 2010 Hong Kong
film directed by Ivy Ho
. It was filmed from March to May 2009, and stars Jacky Cheung
and Tang Wei
. It is a remake of Crossing Delancey
(1988).
It is a return to film both for Cheung, who has not appeared in a film for several years, and for Tang, who was banned from acting in mainland China
after appearing in Ang Lee
's 2007 Lust, Caution. It is the second film directed by Ho (who began her career as a screenwriter). Other actors in the film include Danny Lee Sau-Yin, Paw Hee-Ching
, Maggie Cheung Ho-yee, and Andy On
.
The story mainly takes place around Hennessy Road
, in Hong Kong Island
's Causeway Bay
and Wan Chai
districts.
In May 2009 it was announced that the film would be shown at the Cannes Film Festival
. It will also be shown at the 2010 Hong Kong International Film Festival
alongside Clara Law's "Like a Dream" as a kick start for the opening event.
) is a 41-year-old bachelor who lives with his widowed mother (Paw Hee-Ching
) and aunt (Chu Mi-Mi) in Wan Chai
. Loy's mother, disappointed by his bachelorhood, often sets up match-making lunches for him with various girls. On the other side of Hennessy, orphaned Oi Lin (Tang Wei
) lives with and works for her uncle and aunt in a bathroom appliances store on Lockhart Road
. She is in a relationship with Xu (Andy On
), who is in prison. Her uncle, who disapproves of Xu, sets up a match-making lunch for her and Loy. Neither Loy or Oi Lin are attracted to one another, but the families continue to set up meetings for the two. After a few meetings and dates, the two eventually strike up a friendship after discovering a mutual interest in detective stories.
Both Loy and Oi Lin's families misunderstand the newfound friendship as romance and begin discussing wedding banquet arrangements. Loy explains to his mother this is not the case, and that Oi Lin has a boyfriend. Annoyed, Loy's mother calls Oi Lin's aunt and yells at her, calling her and her husband cheats. Oi Lin becomes upset with Loy, and breaks off their friendship. During this time she shares a flat with her boyfriend Xu, who has just been released from prison, and Loy gets back together with his ex-girlfriend Man Yu (Maggie Cheung Ho-yee).
As time passes, Loy and Oi Lin grow increasingly uneasy about their relationships with Man Yu and Xu respectively. Loy tells Man Yu that he is finally in love with someone, but does not know if he is good enough for her. In the meantime, Oi Lin breaks up with Xu. Furious, Xu tracks down Loy and beats him up. Loy, though severely injured and no match for Xu, claims he is the better man because he can make Oi Lin smile. Xu finally understands, and leaves Oi Lin to get on with her life.
Loy's mother finally marries her accountant at the Cotton Tree Drive
Marriage Registry to everyone's delight. After the wedding, Loy goes to the Cha Chaan Teng
(where he'd previously had a date with Oi Lin) and finds Oi Lin. He joins her there, and the two enjoy the afternoon together.
Magazine, for example, comments that Tang 'exudes charisma and star appeal, even in jeans and sneakers, but I have no doubt that she could have stretched her role a lot further if the script had allowed her.'
17th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
30th Hong Kong Film Awards
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
film directed by Ivy Ho
Ivy Ho
Ivy Ho Sai-Hong is a Hong Kong screenwriter and film director.Ho's work has received high critical acclaim in Hong Kong. Perry Lam of Muse Magazine wrote, 'As a writer, Ho excels as a miniaturist...
. It was filmed from March to May 2009, and stars Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
and Tang Wei
Tang Wei
Tang Wei is a Chinese actress. She rose to prominence for her appearance in Lust, Caution.-1979–2006: Early life and beginnings:...
. It is a remake of Crossing Delancey
Crossing Delancey
Crossing Delancey is a romantic comedy film starring Amy Irving and Peter Riegert released in 1988. It is directed by Joan Micklin Silver and based on a play by Susan Sandler, who also wrote the screenplay...
(1988).
It is a return to film both for Cheung, who has not appeared in a film for several years, and for Tang, who was banned from acting in mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
after appearing in Ang Lee
Ang Lee
Ang Lee is a Taiwanese film director. Lee has directed a diverse set of films such as Eat Drink Man Woman , Sense and Sensibility , Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon , Hulk , and Brokeback Mountain , for which he won an Academy...
's 2007 Lust, Caution. It is the second film directed by Ho (who began her career as a screenwriter). Other actors in the film include Danny Lee Sau-Yin, Paw Hee-Ching
Paw Hee-Ching
Nina Paw Hee-Ching is a Hong Kong-based actress. She was born on July 20, 1949. Her parents are famous Chinese actor Bao Fong and Liu Su. Her younger brother Peter Pau is Academy Awards-winning and five-times Hong Kong Film Awards-winning cinematographer...
, Maggie Cheung Ho-yee, and Andy On
Andy On
Andy On Chi-kit is a Chinese American actor and martial artist.-Biography:On was born on 11 May 1977, in Providence, Rhode Island. As a native to the USA, Andy On can speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese...
.
The story mainly takes place around Hennessy Road
Hennessy Road
Hennessy Road is a thoroughfare on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It connects Yee Wo Street on the east in Causeway Bay, and Queensway on the western end in Wan Chai.The road is named after John Pope Hennessy, the Governor of Hong Kong between 1877 and 1882....
, in Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
's Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is a heavily built-up area of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, located on the Hong Kong Island, and covering parts of Wan Chai and Eastern districts. The Chinese name is also romanized as Tung Lo Wan as in Tung Lo Wan Road...
and Wan Chai
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is a metropolitan area situated at the western part of the Wan Chai District on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. Its other boundaries are Canal Road to the east, Arsenal Street to the west and Bowen Road to the south. The area north of Gloucester Road is often called...
districts.
In May 2009 it was announced that the film would be shown at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
. It will also be shown at the 2010 Hong Kong International Film Festival
Hong Kong International Film Festival
The Hong Kong International Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work. There are seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and parties celebrating the festival community...
alongside Clara Law's "Like a Dream" as a kick start for the opening event.
Plot
Loy (Jacky CheungJacky Cheung
Jacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
) is a 41-year-old bachelor who lives with his widowed mother (Paw Hee-Ching
Paw Hee-Ching
Nina Paw Hee-Ching is a Hong Kong-based actress. She was born on July 20, 1949. Her parents are famous Chinese actor Bao Fong and Liu Su. Her younger brother Peter Pau is Academy Awards-winning and five-times Hong Kong Film Awards-winning cinematographer...
) and aunt (Chu Mi-Mi) in Wan Chai
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is a metropolitan area situated at the western part of the Wan Chai District on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. Its other boundaries are Canal Road to the east, Arsenal Street to the west and Bowen Road to the south. The area north of Gloucester Road is often called...
. Loy's mother, disappointed by his bachelorhood, often sets up match-making lunches for him with various girls. On the other side of Hennessy, orphaned Oi Lin (Tang Wei
Tang Wei
Tang Wei is a Chinese actress. She rose to prominence for her appearance in Lust, Caution.-1979–2006: Early life and beginnings:...
) lives with and works for her uncle and aunt in a bathroom appliances store on Lockhart Road
Lockhart Road
Lockhart Road is a road spanning the whole length of Wan Chai from east to west on the Hong Kong Island of Hong Kong. It begins at Arsenal Street in the west and ends in East Point Road in East Point.- History :...
. She is in a relationship with Xu (Andy On
Andy On
Andy On Chi-kit is a Chinese American actor and martial artist.-Biography:On was born on 11 May 1977, in Providence, Rhode Island. As a native to the USA, Andy On can speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese...
), who is in prison. Her uncle, who disapproves of Xu, sets up a match-making lunch for her and Loy. Neither Loy or Oi Lin are attracted to one another, but the families continue to set up meetings for the two. After a few meetings and dates, the two eventually strike up a friendship after discovering a mutual interest in detective stories.
Both Loy and Oi Lin's families misunderstand the newfound friendship as romance and begin discussing wedding banquet arrangements. Loy explains to his mother this is not the case, and that Oi Lin has a boyfriend. Annoyed, Loy's mother calls Oi Lin's aunt and yells at her, calling her and her husband cheats. Oi Lin becomes upset with Loy, and breaks off their friendship. During this time she shares a flat with her boyfriend Xu, who has just been released from prison, and Loy gets back together with his ex-girlfriend Man Yu (Maggie Cheung Ho-yee).
As time passes, Loy and Oi Lin grow increasingly uneasy about their relationships with Man Yu and Xu respectively. Loy tells Man Yu that he is finally in love with someone, but does not know if he is good enough for her. In the meantime, Oi Lin breaks up with Xu. Furious, Xu tracks down Loy and beats him up. Loy, though severely injured and no match for Xu, claims he is the better man because he can make Oi Lin smile. Xu finally understands, and leaves Oi Lin to get on with her life.
Loy's mother finally marries her accountant at the Cotton Tree Drive
Cotton Tree Drive
Cotton Tree Drive is a road in Central to Mid-levels on the Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. The road is famous because of the Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry, a hotspot for marriage registration in Hong Kong Park....
Marriage Registry to everyone's delight. After the wedding, Loy goes to the Cha Chaan Teng
Cha chaan teng
A cha chaan teng means tea diner, also called Chinese diner, is commonly found in Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan, known for its Chinese food, eclectic and affordable menus, which include many dishes from Hong Kong cuisine and Hong Kong-style Western cuisine. Cha chaan tengs are also popular in Macau...
(where he'd previously had a date with Oi Lin) and finds Oi Lin. He joins her there, and the two enjoy the afternoon together.
Reception
Critics gave generally positive reviews, and Tang Wei in particularly received praise for her work. Perry Lam of MuseMuse (Hong Kong Magazine)
Muse is a bilingual Hong Kong-based multimedia publisher specializing in content related to Hong Kong's art and culture scene.. Until December 2010, Muse published an award-winning monthly arts and culture magazine...
Magazine, for example, comments that Tang 'exudes charisma and star appeal, even in jeans and sneakers, but I have no doubt that she could have stretched her role a lot further if the script had allowed her.'
Awards and nominations
47th Golden Horse Awards- Nominated: Best Actress (Tang Wei)
17th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
The Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards are the annual awards given by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society in Hong Kong, China since 1995. The awards are determined by votes cast in three rounds after a substantial discussion session between the members of the society...
- Won: Film of Merit
- Won: Best Screenplay (Ivy Ho)
- Nominated: Best Film
- Nominated: Best Actress (Tang Wei)
30th Hong Kong Film Awards
- Nominated: Best Screenplay (Ivy Ho)
- Nominated: Best Actor (Jacky Cheung)
- Nominated: Best Actress (Tang Wei)
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actress (Mimi Chu)
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actress (Paw Hee-ching)
- Nominated: Best New Director (Ivy Ho)