A Moment of Romance

The film that kicks started Andy Lau's cinema career.

This movie was the ultimate romance triad genre film in the early 90's. Andy Lau plays Wah-Dee, a triad who has no direction in life and even less purpose. Andy was asked to be the driver of Trumpet, a triad boss, in his bank robbery heist, and it was during the run that Andy took a hostage, Jo-Jo, but soon the two begin to bond. Trumpet wants her dead because she has seen his face, but Andy insists that he will handle everything. Things started to get worst when the head triad leader is dead and Trumpet is trying to take over his possession. All the while Jo-Jo and Wah-Dee starts a very close relationship with each other.

The film is a classic because it is one of the most imitated movies in Hong Kong cinema. The final scene where Wah-Dee and Jo-Jo rides to a church together in his motor-cycle dress in bride clothes is very memorable and copied dozens and dozens of times by other films. The genre is certainly nothing new, but the way Benny Chan and Johnnie To execute their characters are very special. Everything is handle quietly with action and little talk, it perfectly personifies the meaning of "show and not tell". Andy Lau's performance was spectacular because he actually act as an actor instead of reading lines. Ng Man-Tat also won a best supporting actor playing has a weak and poor car washer in the streets of Hong Kong.

A Moment of Romance is certainly one of the best romance triad dramas in Hong Kong cinema and will always be remembered as Andy Lau's first step into international stardom.

Year: 1990
Director: Benny Chan

8.3/10