Don't Go Breaking My Heart (film)
Encyclopedia
Don't Go Breaking My Heart is a 2011
Hong Kong
romantic comedy film
directed by Johnnie To
and Wai Ka-Fai
, making this the third film they have collaborated on together. The film stars Louis Koo
, Daniel Wu
and Gao Yuanyuan
. The film opened the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival
on 20 March 2011. It was then released theatrically in Hong Kong on 31 March 2011.
) is an analyst who just broke up with her boyfriend (Terence Yin
) as he was having a baby with another woman (Selena Li
). Sean (Louis Koo
) a CEO of a broker firm knew Chi Yan as her office is just opposite of his. He liked Chi Yan all the while, but knew that she was in a relationship and did not want to interfere, and started to take action as he saw what happened in the bus between Chi Yan, her ex, and his current wife. However, Kevin (Daniel Wu
), an engineer, who dressed shabbily, and an alcoholic helped Chi Yan out when she was heartbroken by her ex. With Chi Yan's support and, Kevin decided to pick up designing again, and dated her to meet up again a week later. Chi Yan totally forgot about it as she was starting out with Sean, but it did not work out as Sean had a one night stand with Angelina who started with a misunderstanding and ended his relationship with Chi Yan. Sean later shifted his office as he economy crisis made him lost a big sum of money and went over to US. Three years later, Sean came back as Chi Yan's boss. He tried to win her heart again, but was always pulled back as he could not endure women seduction. Chi Yan was disappointed with him, and met Kevin back, as he's new office was Sean's old office. Both guys are now chasing after Chi Yan. She loves both of them, but chose Kevin in the end as he moved her with great sincerity and love.
was contacted by Johnnie To
in May 2010 for his role in the film. Wu was excited to work with To, stating that he's "always wanted to work with him. I've worked with all the big directors in Hong Kong except for him and Wong Kar-wai
, and now I can tick Johnnie off my list." The ending of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart was unknown to the actors until the final week of shooting.
. The film was released on March 31, 2011 in Hong Kong and China. It received it's North American premiere at the Fantasia Festival
in Montreal, Canada on July 25, 2011.
referred to the film as "tightly plotted and frequently funny, with suave lead perfs and glossy production design and lensing" while noting that "this mainstream, mostly Mandarin-language pic is squarely aimed at mainland auds and will do midrange biz in the region, but won't travel much elsewhere."
(Used by Sean when expressing his love and proposing to Chi Yan)
(Used by Kevin when expressing his love and proposing to Chi Yan)
Hong Kong films of 2011
-2011:-External links:* * Hong Kong films of 2011 at...
Hong Kong
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
directed by Johnnie To
Johnnie To
Johnnie To Kei-Fung, born 22 April 1955, is a Hong Kong film director and producer. Popular in his native Hong Kong, To has also found acclaim overseas...
and Wai Ka-Fai
Wai Ka-Fai
Wai Ka-Fai is a Hong Kong writer, filmmaker, producer and former TV director and producer.Wai is best known for his frequent collaborations with Johnnie To, another former TV turned film director and producer. In 1996, they formed Milkyway Image, which is now one of the most successful independent...
, making this the third film they have collaborated on together. The film stars Louis Koo
Louis Koo
Louis Koo is a Hong Kong actor. He was once a notable local television series actor, winning TVB's Best Actor award in 1999 for Detective Investigation Files IV. In recent years, he has focused on film...
, Daniel Wu
Daniel Wu
Daniel Yin-Cho Wu is a Hong Kong actor, director and producer. Since his film debut in 1998, he has been featured in over 40 films. Wu has been called "the young Andy Lau," and is known as a "flexible and distinctive" leading actor in the Chinese-language film industry.-Early life:Wu was born in...
and Gao Yuanyuan
Gao Yuanyuan
Gao Yuanyuan is a Chinese actress.-Biography:Gao was born in Beijing on October 5, 1979 and entered the entertainment industry in 1996. Known for her fresh looks and chaste spirit, Gao, unlike other mainland Chinese actresses, did not graduate from any drama academic institutions...
. The film opened the 35th 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...
on 20 March 2011. It was then released theatrically in Hong Kong on 31 March 2011.
Synopsis
Chi Yan (Gao YuanyuanGao Yuanyuan
Gao Yuanyuan is a Chinese actress.-Biography:Gao was born in Beijing on October 5, 1979 and entered the entertainment industry in 1996. Known for her fresh looks and chaste spirit, Gao, unlike other mainland Chinese actresses, did not graduate from any drama academic institutions...
) is an analyst who just broke up with her boyfriend (Terence Yin
Terence Yin
Terence Yin Chi Wai is a Chinese film actor, singer, producer and media relations. Yin has starred in over 30 movies, released one solo album and is presently residing in Hong Kong.- Early life :...
) as he was having a baby with another woman (Selena Li
Selena Li
Selena Li Sze-wan is an actress and former Miss Hong Kong 2003 contestant. That year, as a contestant from Toronto, Selena was the winner of Miss Talent and Miss Photogenic. Prior to entering the Miss Hong Kong pageant, Selena was attending the University of Toronto studying for a Bachelor of...
). Sean (Louis Koo
Louis Koo
Louis Koo is a Hong Kong actor. He was once a notable local television series actor, winning TVB's Best Actor award in 1999 for Detective Investigation Files IV. In recent years, he has focused on film...
) a CEO of a broker firm knew Chi Yan as her office is just opposite of his. He liked Chi Yan all the while, but knew that she was in a relationship and did not want to interfere, and started to take action as he saw what happened in the bus between Chi Yan, her ex, and his current wife. However, Kevin (Daniel Wu
Daniel Wu
Daniel Yin-Cho Wu is a Hong Kong actor, director and producer. Since his film debut in 1998, he has been featured in over 40 films. Wu has been called "the young Andy Lau," and is known as a "flexible and distinctive" leading actor in the Chinese-language film industry.-Early life:Wu was born in...
), an engineer, who dressed shabbily, and an alcoholic helped Chi Yan out when she was heartbroken by her ex. With Chi Yan's support and, Kevin decided to pick up designing again, and dated her to meet up again a week later. Chi Yan totally forgot about it as she was starting out with Sean, but it did not work out as Sean had a one night stand with Angelina who started with a misunderstanding and ended his relationship with Chi Yan. Sean later shifted his office as he economy crisis made him lost a big sum of money and went over to US. Three years later, Sean came back as Chi Yan's boss. He tried to win her heart again, but was always pulled back as he could not endure women seduction. Chi Yan was disappointed with him, and met Kevin back, as he's new office was Sean's old office. Both guys are now chasing after Chi Yan. She loves both of them, but chose Kevin in the end as he moved her with great sincerity and love.
Cast
| Cast | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Louis Koo Louis Koo Louis Koo is a Hong Kong actor. He was once a notable local television series actor, winning TVB's Best Actor award in 1999 for Detective Investigation Files IV. In recent years, he has focused on film... |
Sean Cheung 張申然 |
A CEO of a broker firm and became the boss of Chi Yan after economy crisis. |
| Daniel Wu Daniel Wu Daniel Yin-Cho Wu is a Hong Kong actor, director and producer. Since his film debut in 1998, he has been featured in over 40 films. Wu has been called "the young Andy Lau," and is known as a "flexible and distinctive" leading actor in the Chinese-language film industry.-Early life:Wu was born in... |
Kevin Fong 方啟宏 |
An Architect. Was first messy and untidy as he lost inspiration on designing and started to become an alcoholic. Got back to designing after meeting Chi Yan. |
| Gao Yuanyuan Gao Yuanyuan Gao Yuanyuan is a Chinese actress.-Biography:Gao was born in Beijing on October 5, 1979 and entered the entertainment industry in 1996. Known for her fresh looks and chaste spirit, Gao, unlike other mainland Chinese actresses, did not graduate from any drama academic institutions... |
Ching Chi Yan 程子欣 |
An analyst. First met Kevin when helping her with her things all over the road, met again and gave Kevin all her ex boyfriend's things as she just broke off with her boyfriend at that time. Soon met Sean, a CEO of a broker firm who office was opposite of hers. |
| Lam Suet Lam Suet Lam Suet is a Hong Kong actor.-Biography:Lam was born in Tianjin, and came to Hong Kong as a youth in 1979 to receive inheritance money left by his grandfather. Soon after all the money had been squandered and Lam had to work various odd jobs to make a living.In the mid-eighties he got employment... |
John | Chi Yan's colleague. |
| Larisa Bakurova | Angelina | Had one night stand with Sean. At first thought Sean was interested in her, but as Sean went and explain that he was interested in another girl, (Chi Yan), seduced him, and eventually broke Sean and Chi Yan off. |
| JJ Jia JJ Jia Jia Xiaochen , better known as JJ Jia, is a Chinese actress and commercial model.-Film:-Television dramas:-External links:**... |
Joyce Kiu 喬伊絲 |
Kevin's Secretary |
| Seth Leslie | Mr Ovadia | A Jewish employee of Lam Suet and Louis Koo. Well known for being spat on by Lam Suet when Gao Yuanyuan arrives in the office back from Shanghai. |
| Terence Yin Terence Yin Terence Yin Chi Wai is a Chinese film actor, singer, producer and media relations. Yin has starred in over 30 movies, released one solo album and is presently residing in Hong Kong.- Early life :... |
Ching Chi Yan's Ex. Got together for 7 years but broke up in the end as he was having an affair and later a baby with another lady. | |
| Selena Li Selena Li Selena Li Sze-wan is an actress and former Miss Hong Kong 2003 contestant. That year, as a contestant from Toronto, Selena was the winner of Miss Talent and Miss Photogenic. Prior to entering the Miss Hong Kong pageant, Selena was attending the University of Toronto studying for a Bachelor of... |
Ching Chi Yan's Rival. Pregnant with Chi Yan's ex's baby. | |
Production
Daniel WuDaniel Wu
Daniel Yin-Cho Wu is a Hong Kong actor, director and producer. Since his film debut in 1998, he has been featured in over 40 films. Wu has been called "the young Andy Lau," and is known as a "flexible and distinctive" leading actor in the Chinese-language film industry.-Early life:Wu was born in...
was contacted by Johnnie To
Johnnie To
Johnnie To Kei-Fung, born 22 April 1955, is a Hong Kong film director and producer. Popular in his native Hong Kong, To has also found acclaim overseas...
in May 2010 for his role in the film. Wu was excited to work with To, stating that he's "always wanted to work with him. I've worked with all the big directors in Hong Kong except for him and Wong Kar-wai
Wong Kar-wai
Wong Kar-wai BBS is a Hong Kong Second Wave filmmaker, internationally renowned as an auteur for his visually unique, highly stylized, emotionally resonant work, including Days of Being Wild , Ashes of Time , Chungking Express , Fallen Angels , Happy Together and 2046...
, and now I can tick Johnnie off my list." The ending of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart was unknown to the actors until the final week of shooting.
Release
Don't Go Breaking My Heart had its world premiere at the 5th Osaka Asian Film Festival on March 10, 2011. Along with Quattro Hong Kong 2, it was the opening film at the Hong Kong International Film FestivalHong 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...
. The film was released on March 31, 2011 in Hong Kong and China. It received it's North American premiere at the Fantasia Festival
Fantasia Festival
Fantasia International Film Festival is a genre film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996...
in Montreal, Canada on July 25, 2011.
Reception
Film Business Asia gave Don't Go Breaking My Heart a six out of ten rating referring to it as a "entertaining but shallow rom-com from Johnnie To that doesn't really engage the emotions". Time Out Hong Kong gave the film a four out of six rating praising the dialogue and "expert comic timing". The Hollywood Reporter opined that "To dazzles with non-stop filmmaking tricks, so many will be happy to forget the disingenuousness of the creative premise". VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
referred to the film as "tightly plotted and frequently funny, with suave lead perfs and glossy production design and lensing" while noting that "this mainstream, mostly Mandarin-language pic is squarely aimed at mainland auds and will do midrange biz in the region, but won't travel much elsewhere."
Theme songs
- "愛很簡單" (Love is Simple) by David TaoDavid TaoDavid Tao , born Tao Xuzhong , was born on 11 July 1969. He is a Taiwanese Golden Melody Award-winning singer-songwriter. He is well-known for creating a crossover genre of R&B and hard rock tunes which has now become his signature style and for having popularized R&B in the Mandopop...
(Used by Sean when expressing his love and proposing to Chi Yan)
- "我願意" (I'm Willing) by Faye WongFaye WongFaye Wong is a highly successful and influential Chinese singer-songwriter and actress who is usually referred to as a diva . Early in her career she briefly used the stage name Shirley Wong . Born in Beijing, she moved to Hong Kong in 1987 and rose to stardom in the early 1990s by singing...
(Used by Kevin when expressing his love and proposing to Chi Yan)
External links
- Official website
- Don't Go Breaking My Heart at Hong Kong CinemagicHong Kong CinemagicHong Kong Cinemagic, sometimes referred to as HKCinemagic, is a bilingual website providing a repository for information about Chinese language films from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, and the people that created them. The website contains news, interviews, film reviews and a database of people,...