Love Paradox (2000)

Love Paradox takes a simple premise, following a small community of people all living on the fourth floor of a particular apartment block. The people live in flats A, B, and C, and that's the order they're introduced in.

Sau (Grace Yip) of unit 4A is a dancer, dumped from TV work and not being hired for concerts. She's eagerly trying out for an upcoming production by a Mr Webber but is hampered my man troubles. Just when she's about to wed her man Denver (Andrew Lien), Sau finds out he's still in touch with his ex. She's angry and he storms off in his tuxedo. Later, as Sau drowns her woes in tinned soup and booze, Denver's old flame reappears.

Neighbour and best friend Fong Fong (Annie Wu) is also having problems with her man Man-fai. He'd rather ogle at sports cars than at her and the spark's gone from the relationship. She's getting frustrated and is pent up for sex. And Man-fai gets lust on his mind when he spots the lady in 4C.

She Sean, an erotic dancer who doesn't close the curtains when she performs in her living room. Man-fai peeps, fantasises, picks her up in her car and eventually is told to book an appointment for a private dance session. He eagerly obliges behind Fong Fong's back...

Of the three leading ladies, newcomer Perry Chiu is offered the more interesting character and gives a magnetic performance to complement. She's lively on screen, confident and every bit the head-turner the script calls for. Annie Wu offers a similarly attractive performance against her non-responsive partner, such that it's odd he could prefer a Ferrari over her. Like Sean, the Fong Fong character is ultimately shown taking control for herself and not bowing down to unworthy men. Yip's character is also headed in that direction, but gets lost within an unimpressive character gimmick, unnecessary stereotyping and dance routines.

Clifton Ko's direction is rather pedestrian, with Perry Chiu making the more impressive presentation on the screen. She's shown colourful and seductive while a somewhat greyish atmosphere lingers elsewhere. For the most part, Love Paradox is a quiet departure for current HK filmmaking, instead placing its drama in a small setting. It's a small affair among a small circle of people, with a nice touch the inclusion of James Wong's security guard character a pleasing touch (even if his humour is grating). His presence helps indicate the sense of community within the otherwise anonymous apartment complex.

The Princess Theatre's wonderful Love Paradox painted billboard

And the Merryland Theatre's more novel approach to the Love Paradox billboard

Credits:

Directed by Klifton Ko
Starring Grace Yip, Annie Wu, Perry Chiu, Andrew Lien, James Wong and Vincent Kok