Thursday, 28 May 2009

  • Song of Everlasting Sorrow: Part III Review

    I'm beginning to think that Tse Kwan Ho is made for tragic roles. I swear every time there's this sadness tint in his eyes, I couldn't help but feel the utmost sympathy for him. The feeling of wanting to find out what happened is just too torturing and one couldn't blame him for wanting to know either. After getting back to his normal daily life, it seems like Mr. Chen couldn't help but wonder more about what could have been. It might be bringing up more unrest thoughts. Hope it won't destroy him all over again though. However, it is definitely a bad choice to rely on Lei Lei for assistance at such a time. (Major bad move.)

    All aside from Yao Yao's actions, I think that it's quite touching with the last talk between her and Bei Zhen, regarding their separation as friends - and how Bei Zhen is going to Hong Kong after her wedding. Their bond is actually a truth bond - unlike those others who only criticize of Yao Yao. This scene also shows a vulnerable side of Yao Yao since she seems very strong willed regarding her decision and how she said she could care less whether she gets married or not - or have an official one. But upon hearing Bei Zhen's news, there's a trace of jealousy coming from her. But luckily she realizes that Bei Zhen's just trying to share the news with her because they're best friends.

    It's interesting and that I think it might be karma, not to mention irony, stabbing right back at Yao Yao as she steps onto a path that probably causes her misery in the days to come. Using drugs to take away her pain? Sounds too familiar. Yes, the reason why I said karma and irony. But I think this just shows that the more perfect someone's on the surface, the more flaws there are below. Maybe the facade is just there to protect them temporarily from those outer attacks. When within one's own comfort zone and back into his or her own environment, the truth unfolds.



    After watching more and more, it makes me wonder even more if Yao Yao's just seeking the presence of someone because of her fear of solitude or because of love. The lonely atmosphere is so thick at her new habitat various times that it's almost suffocating. Maybe it is because Mr. Chen is also someone in need of comfort and security so it might not be the right person for her, but Mr. Li? Maybe she feels secure that he is more confidence and experienced? He's a better choice because he's someone to lean on at times of needs versus having to comfort another person who is also drifting among the current of life like Mr. Chen? (It still doesn't justify her actions of being involved with a married man.)

    I hate it when I get tricked so easily with the plot going towards the tragic romance side rather than other important aspects surrounding the characters. I thought that was it but the plot is going towards the political battle between several parties, causing suffering among the citizens. (I'm also wrong about Mr. Chen's friend, who isn't just some guy wanting to take simple pictures. He sure is one clever dude. He's careful all right. Too bad he's getting caught when he almost succeeds.)

    Just when I was about to compliment the actress who portrayed Lei Lei on her crying skills and her decent performance for the scene where she reunited with Mr. Chen, she just goes into doing that strange smile all over again. I think she must be one of those actresses that could only do well with tragic/ serious scenes versus the whole funny or cute moments.

    It's funny and ironic how things turned out the way they did like halfway into the story. What's the point of rejecting someone and then finally realizes his importance again after so much turmoil has passed? I hope she's not settling for comfort and not because she could relate to him because of a past she wishes to cling onto. (And maybe I'm wrong again. Maybe it's just that she's happy to see him still alive and seeing a friend who she hasn't been in contact with for a long time.)

    Aside from that little disturbing point, just want to compliment Betty Huang again for her portrayal thus far. Yao Yao seems so innocent and carefree - and a bit arrogant at the beginning of the story throughout but after suffering a great lost, she looks devastating that it's hard to blame her for anything at all. It's very sorrowful. Even if she recovers afterward, there are traces of a more matured person. It's like she's growing slowly because of the changes and past happenings. Betty really brought out those emotions well.

    Maggie Cheung finally takes over the role of Wang Qi Yao as the shift of 8 years pass. I need to get used to it since somehow Betty Huang has grow on me as Yao Yao. But it'll be an interesting transition to see since she seems to have become a mature woman, taking on an independent role and helping her mom and little brother.

    About one and a half episode later, I'm convinced that no one else could've portray the role of the mature Yao Yao better than Maggie. She shows great depth in character with her performance. I'm glad that they've keep it consistent with her character, retaining some traces of stubbornness left over since young. It's her determination that keeps her going through life. I also like it that they didn't make her end up with Mr. Chen after so much have happened. It shows that her life with Mr. Li and her feelings for him wasn't just a young girl's rash moves or the impulse to just plunge in. Yes, she made a poor choice and it had damaged her reputation up to this point, but it also shows a stronger person she has become. I finally realize that they made her characters perfect on the surface yet consists of many flaws beneath. It's like showing how simple her frame of thoughts used to be, not thinking of the consequences and now she's more mature, she speaks and acts with more caution.

    It's not that I don't want her to find her happiness and realize Mr. Chen's good side after so many years, but I just want to see a deeper development within than just settling for him after Mr. Li's death. As of right now, things are going slowly and it's good that they're not on awkward terms like many times before. Yao Yao's mother also realizes Mr. Chen's good side and approves of Mr. Chen too so that's good to know. Maybe it's because after so many things happened, people will begin to realize who's still around or is always there no matter what to support.

    Seeing how things are progressing, it's a shame that Ah Ming - Yao Yao's brother - couldn't find the heart to forgive his sister and supports her. It's harsh times and everyone's worried about their job security so he couldn't be blamed for his stubbornness but still a shame. On the side, it's funny that Ah Ming's son is really attached to his Auntie Yao Yao. The kid's so cute.

    Seriously, every time Lei Lei appears, I want to throw stuffs at her but decides against it since I do not want to replace my TV. She's very spoiled and is always acting bossy and superior towards others. Even if she wants to reform, it doesn't mean she can just yell at everyone in her path. She has really never changed - if any, it would be for the worse and not for the better at all. She honestly needs to shut up and listen to others before blabbering her mouth off and lecture others. I do not see the point in carrying on and on forever when she's such a hypocrite. Since when did she even lift a finger to do any real chores and work? She just use her big mouth and rattle out orders to others. What right does she have in lecturing Mr. Chen? Claiming to be caring for the citizens, but she's the most fake of them all. She only cares about her popularity, not the overall good for others. (And yes, the actress cannot deliver any ounce of cuteness even in the playful scenes.) So all of that talk is just about some jealous cat fight over the past everyone wants to forget? Okay, that's so mature.

    It seems that Yao Yao is unknowingly feeling a special attachment to Mr. Chen. Their separation during the time he had to go take part in the labor at the other end of town is almost like their test. She seems to be so used to his presence that the lack of it feels strange. Hollow even. It's beginning to surpass that of friendship and gratitude. Maybe because they are both survivors of the past government that made their bond stronger than before. Who knows? It's honestly really addicting to watch the story unfold with Yao Yao's character getting deeper and deeper. Not to mention Maggie's onscreen presence.

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