Okinawa Rendez-vous (2000)

Folks ditching the sticky Hong Kong summer for the icy chill of the SAR's cinemas should find some respite with Okinawa Rendez-vous -- a breezy summertime flick designed to offer viewers a pleasant one-and-a-half hour escape. Set in a spotless resort locale in Japan, a laid-back mix of relationship dramas, comedy and cops n' crims capers forms the storyline, bound together by light-hearted approach in front of, and behind, the camera.

The plot of the film covers not a rendezvous but instead a chance collision of six Hongkongers who hit sunny Okinawa and get tangled in crimefighting, gang affairs and love troubles. Three of the Hong Kong folks are holidaymakers -- Dat (Tony Leung) is a filing department staffer with the Hong Kong Police, holidaying in Japan while testing the waters for a relationship with Sandy (Gigi Lai). And in tow is Sandy's mate Cookie. Unfortunately, Dat's got more on his mind than summer frolics with the sprightly Sandy. Instead, he brings his work with him. Even if it's not his job at all.

Dat feels pretty feeble filing papers at the cop shop. He's hungry for some crime busting, and the possibility for promotion that comes with it. So when he happens across a familiar face sashaying about the seaside resort, Dat decides to crack a case by himself. The target is Jimmy Tong (Leslie Cheung), a lady-killer of a criminal with a ream of records back in Hong Kong. Jimmy's currently staying in Okinawa too, where he's blackmailing local gangster Mr Sato. But while Jimmy's not actually on any wanted lists, but Dat decides to catch him anyway. And the only way to do that is an elaborate set-up. Soon Dat assumes the identity of renowned thief So Yuk as he approaches Jimmy and his sidekick Kuk B (Vincent Kuk) to partner in some audacious thievery.

Another shady Hongkonger unwittingly comes in on the act too. Jenny (Faye Wong) had earlier bumped into Dat at the airport, clutching a big bag of cash and escaping Yakuza thugs on her tail. She's now at the resort area as well, and has bagged herself a plum job in a waterfront bistro. Dat gets eyes for Jenny and draws her into his crimefighting plans in an attempt to get near her. And Jimmy has eyes for her too, not knowing her connection to Sato -- the delightful character everyone meets by film's end.

Following this many people over the length of a Hong Kong script may sound a little complex. But to the writers' credit Okinawa Rendez-vous instead works as a clean affair, only diminished at the film's end by a lack of any solid or memorable closure. But while that became the main letdown as I walked out of the cinema, what came before it looked quite fine.

Gordon Chan's film -- his second job in Japan after When I Look Upon the Stars (as producer) -- uses its Japan locations nicely, and features attractive leads and fun supports. Okinawa looks every bit a holiday destination as the cast gets into summer mode, sauntering about the spick-and-span surrounds at a more leisurely pace than is ever possible back in Hong Kong. The actors buzz along likeably in roles with pleasing identities. Vincent Kuk is a particular surprise in his subdued role as a killer sidekick, and lead Tony Leung carries a nerdy charm in his pursuit of Jimmy, despite his character's poor dealings on the relationship front. Also notable are interesting side characters thrown into the plot, including gangster Sato being a shameless romantic with minions who suffer as a result, and a local Japanese lady who speaks fluent Cantonese because of her practising to movies. Brought into the plot proper, they provide additional playful and endearing touches to this harmless cinema excursion.

The Okinawa Rendez-vous painted billboard up at Causeway Bay's President Theatre.

This one's decorating the Dynasty Theatre in Tai Kok Tsui.

And the Imperial Cinema in Wanchai gets fancy with this very attractive design.

Credits:

Produced and directed by Gordon Chan
Starring Tony Leung Ka-fai, Leslie Cheung, Faye Wong, Gigi Lai, Vincent Kuk and Stephanie Che