Rouge (1988) [Film Review]

Rouge; or, Chinese (Anti-)Love Story 
This week’s review will be about a classic Hong Kong production from 1988, starring Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung in the leading roles. Rouge, excluding Hong Kong's 3rd category flicks, probably the most bizarre and stylistically extraordinary movie that came out of that particular Asian film industry.

Release Info

Directed by: Stanley Kwan Starring: Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung, Alex Man, Emily Chu

Language: Cantonese Original Title: Yan zhi kou Movie Industry: Hong Kong Runtime: 96 min

Plot 

We follow the story of a high-class courtesan called Fleur (Anita Mui) and her passionate relationship with a rich gentleman known as “12th Young Master” (Leslie Cheung). Initially, it is only a sexual relation, but 12th Young Master becomes so infatuated with Fleur that he develops deeper feelings for her and vice versa. Unfortunately, due to the objection from the Master’s family, the couple is unable to get married. Therefore, not willing to live separately, they decide to commit suicide and search for themselves in another life.

 

Then, the story cuts to a newspaper journalist in Hong Kong of 1987 who sees Fleur walking up to his front desk. The woman came back as a ghost from the afterlife over 50 years after her death in order to find her beloved one. Troubled journalist and his girlfriend resort to help the courtesan before she completely fades away.

Ghosts, courtesans, and a modern cityscape 

Now that’s what I call a crazy ghost story. I have no idea why, but Hong Kong filmmakers had this strange affinity for ghosts and incorporated them in every possible genre (maybe they were profitable trope?). Anyways, as I said previously, the perfect word to sum up this film is the adjective bizarre, however not in a negative sense. What I mean is that the director Stanley Kwan simply plays with his audience as the story goes on. Initially, it seems that the film’s going to be a historical drama (set in 1934, with great scenography and costumes), but then it shifts to a stereotypical love affair, only to shift once more to a comedy/ghost story. During the first 20 minutes of the film, there’s a careful set up of the plot and the characters when completely out of the blue Hong Kong of the 1980s shows up (which is quite confusing, because the whole stuff with suicide and soul-searching is explained way later in the film through Fleur’s flashbacks), but this unexpected transfer of the setting is a good thing, for it keeps the viewers engaged. In addition, there’s also a factor of entertainment.

 

It’s quite hilarious to see an ordinary modern guy like Yuen (Alex Man) to interact with ghostly Fleur who manifests her paranormal presence pretty straightforwardly, but it still takes a lot of time for the journalist to get the picture. Interesting is also the quest of Fleur. She’s been through hell and back (quite literally) and still hasn't found the 12th Young Master yet. She has only three days left to find him, before disintegrating on the anniversary of their death. Yuen and Chor (Emily Chu) got at lengths in searching for the missing lover, which in turn pushes them to re-evaluate their own relationship. All in all, the whole thing is about trying to understand the meaning of true love (but not in soap-opera style).

 

Needless to say, the movie is engaging, entertaining, and surprising with a big twist at the end and the heartbreaking reunion between Fleur and the 12th Young Master that left me gobsmacked. Not only Stanley Kwan did a splendid directorial job, but also Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung who were absolutely perfect in their roles. On a side note, Rouge is said to be a cursed film, because its both leads died in 2003 (Anita suffered from cancer, whereas Leslie committed suicide). Whether it is true or not, I’m not going to be the judge of that. It is a great shame that such great actors passed away so early and won’t make any worthwhile pictures as this one.

Recommendations

Yes, I consider Rouge a worthwhile film. I had a great fun watching it and unlike other flicks about love-from-the-afterlife such as Truly Madly Deeply or Dragonfly you’re not required to suspend your disbelief and the story doesn’t leave you with a bitterness at heart. All things considered, Rouge is a solid motion picture and I recommend it to anyone who’s on the lookout for some interesting film.

Overall score: 8/10