- Don't Go Breaking My Heart (film)
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Don't Go Breaking My Heart 
Traditional 單身男女 Simplified 单身男女 Mandarin Dān Shēn Nán Nǚ Cantonese Daan1 San1 Naam4 Neoi2 Directed by Johnnie To
Wai Ka-FaiProduced by Johnnie To
Wai Kai-FaiScreenplay by Wai Ka-Fai
Yau Nai-Hoi
Ray Chan
Jevons AuStarring Louis Koo
Daniel Wu
Gao YuanyuanMusic by Xavier Jamaux Cinematography Cheng Siu-Keung
To Hung MoEditing by David Richardson
Allen LeungStudio Media Asia Films
Milkyway ImageDistributed by Media Asia Distributions Release date(s) 31 March 2011 Running time 115 minutes Country Hong Kong Language Cantonese
Mandarin
EnglishDon't Go Breaking My Heart is a 2011 Hong Kong romantic comedy film directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai, making this the third film they have collaborated on together.[1] The film stars Louis Koo, Daniel Wu and Gao Yuanyuan. The film opened the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival on 20 March 2011. It was then released theatrically in Hong Kong on 31 March 2011.
Contents
Synopsis
Chi Yan (Gao Yuanyuan) is an analyst who just broke up with her boyfriend (Terence Yin) as he was having a baby with another woman (Selena Li). Sean (Louis Koo) a CEO of a broker firm knew Chi Yan as her office is just opposite of his. He liked Chi Yan all the while, but knew that she was in a relationship and did not want to interfere, and started to take action as he saw what happened in the bus between Chi Yan, her ex, and his current wife. However, Kevin (Daniel Wu), an engineer, who dressed shabbily, and an alcoholic helped Chi Yan out when she was heartbroken by her ex. With Chi Yan's support and, Kevin decided to pick up designing again, and dated her to meet up again a week later. Chi Yan totally forgot about it as she was starting out with Sean, but it did not work out as Sean had a one night stand with Angelina who started with a misunderstanding and ended his relationship with Chi Yan. Sean later shifted his office as he economy crisis made him lost a big sum of money and went over to US. Three years later, Sean came back as Chi Yan's boss. He tried to win her heart again, but was always pulled back as he could not endure women seduction. Chi Yan was disappointed with him, and met Kevin back, as he's new office was Sean's old office. Both guys are now chasing after Chi Yan. She loves both of them, but chose Kevin in the end as he moved her with great sincerity and love.
Cast
Cast Role Description Louis Koo Sean Cheung
張申然A CEO of a broker firm and became the boss of Chi Yan after economy crisis. Daniel Wu Kevin Fong
方啟宏An Architect. Was first messy and untidy as he lost inspiration on designing and started to become an alcoholic. Got back to designing after meeting Chi Yan. Gao Yuanyuan Ching Chi Yan
程子欣An analyst. First met Kevin when helping her with her things all over the road, met again and gave Kevin all her ex boyfriend's things as she just broke off with her boyfriend at that time. Soon met Sean, a CEO of a broker firm who office was opposite of hers. Lam Suet John Chi Yan's colleague. Larisa Bakurova Angelina Had one night stand with Sean. At first thought Sean was interested in her, but as Sean went and explain that he was interested in another girl, (Chi Yan), seduced him, and eventually broke Sean and Chi Yan off. JJ Jia Joyce Kiu
喬伊絲Kevin's Secretary Seth Leslie Mr Ovadia A Jewish employee of Lam Suet and Louis Koo. Well known for being spat on by Lam Suet when Gao Yuanyuan arrives in the office back from Shanghai. Terence Yin Ching Chi Yan's Ex. Got together for 7 years but broke up in the end as he was having an affair and later a baby with another lady. Selena Li Ching Chi Yan's Rival. Pregnant with Chi Yan's ex's baby. Production
Daniel Wu was contacted by Johnnie To in May 2010 for his role in the film. Wu was excited to work with To, stating that he's "always wanted to work with him. I've worked with all the big directors in Hong Kong except for him and Wong Kar-wai, and now I can tick Johnnie off my list."[2] The ending of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart was unknown to the actors until the final week of shooting.[2]
Release
Don't Go Breaking My Heart had its world premiere at the 5th Osaka Asian Film Festival on March 10, 2011.[3][4] Along with Quattro Hong Kong 2, it was the opening film at the Hong Kong International Film Festival.[5] The film was released on March 31, 2011 in Hong Kong and China.[3] It received it's North American premiere at the Fantasia Festival in Montreal, Canada on July 25, 2011.[6]
Reception
Film Business Asia gave Don't Go Breaking My Heart a six out of ten rating referring to it as a "entertaining but shallow rom-com from Johnnie To that doesn't really engage the emotions".[3] Time Out Hong Kong gave the film a four out of six rating praising the dialogue and "expert comic timing".[7] The Hollywood Reporter opined that "To dazzles with non-stop filmmaking tricks, so many will be happy to forget the disingenuousness of the creative premise".[8] Variety referred to the film as "tightly plotted and frequently funny, with suave lead perfs and glossy production design and lensing" while noting that "this mainstream, mostly Mandarin-language pic is squarely aimed at mainland auds and will do midrange biz in the region, but won't travel much elsewhere."[9]
Theme songs
- "愛很簡單" (Love is Simple) by David Tao
(Used by Sean when expressing his love and proposing to Chi Yan)
- "我願意" (I'm Willing) by Faye Wong
(Used by Kevin when expressing his love and proposing to Chi Yan)
References
- ^ "Don't Go Breaking My Heart opened to box office success". Asia Pacific Arts. 04/05/2011. http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/article@apa?dont_go_breaking_my_heart_opened_to_box_office_success_16604.aspx.
- ^ a b Chow, Jason (March 18, 2011). "Breaking Heads to Breaking Hearts". Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2011/03/18/from-breaking-heads-to-breaking-hearts/?mod=google_news_blog. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ a b c Elley, Derek (March 25, 2011). "Don't Go Breaking My Heart (單身男女)". Film Business Asia. http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/dont-go-breaking-my-heart. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ Cremin, Stephen (March 1, 2011). "Osaka festival embraces romance, indies". Film Business Asia. http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/osaka-festival-embraces-romance-indies. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (February 24, 2011). "HKIFF has Heart for popularity, hub role". Film Business Asia. http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/hkiff-has-heart-for-popularity-hub-role. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ Marsh, James. "Don't Go Breaking My Heart : Cinemabox & Ubisoft Present Fantasia 2011". Fantasia Festival. http://www.fantasiafestival.com/2011/en/films/film_detail.php?id=439. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ Lee, Edmund (March 30, 2011). "Don’t Go Breaking My Heart". Time Out. http://www.timeout.com.hk/film/features/41598/dont-go-breaking-my-heart.html. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ Lee, Maggie (March 29, 2011). "Don't Go Breaking My Heart: Film Review". Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/dont-go-breaking-my-heart-172351. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
- ^ Van Hoeij, Boyd (April 3, 2011). "Don't Go Breaking My Heart". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117944952/. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
External links
- Official website
- Don't Go Breaking My Heart at the Internet Movie Database
- Don't Go Breaking My Heart at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
- Don't Go Breaking My Heart at Hong Kong Cinemagic
Films directed by Johnnie To 1980s The Enigmatic Case (1989) · Happy Ghost III (1986) · Seven Years Itch (1987) · The Eighth Happiness (1988) · All About Ah-Long (1989) · The Fun, the Luck and the Tycoon (1989)1990s The Story of My Son (1990) · The Royal Scoundrel (1991) · Lucky Encounter (1992) · Justice, My Foot! (1992) · The Mad Monk (1993) · The Heroic Trio (1993) · Loving You (1995) · A Moment of Romance 3 (1996) · Lifeline (1997) · A Hero Never Dies (1998) · Running Out of Time (1999) · Where a Good Man Goes (1999) · The Mission (1999)2000s PTU (2003) · Breaking News (2004) · Throw Down (2004) · Yesterday Once More (2004) · Election (2005) · Election 2 (2006) · Exiled (2006) · Linger (2008) · Sparrow (2008) · Vengeance (2009)2010s Don't Go Breaking My Heart (2011) · Life Without Principle (2011)Films with
Wai Ka-FaiNeeding You... (2000) · Help!!! (2000) · Love on a Diet (2001) · Fulltime Killer (2001) · Fat Choi Spirit (2002) · My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002) · Love For All Seasons (2003) · Turn Left, Turn Right (2003) · Running on Karma (2003) · Mad Detective (2007) ·Co-director See also Films directed by Wai Ka-Fai Directed alone Peace Hotel (1995) · Too Many Ways to Be No. 1 (1997) · Fantasia (2004) · Himalaya Singh (2005) · The Shopaholics (2006) · Written By (2009)Directed with Johnnie To Needing You... (2000) · Help!!! (2000) · Love on a Diet (2001) · Fulltime Killer (2001) · Fat Choi Spirit (2002) · My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002) · Love For All Seasons (2003) · Turn Left, Turn Right (2003) · Running on Karma (2003) · Mad Detective (2007) · Don't Go Breaking My Heart (2011)Milkyway Image 1990s films Beyond Hypothermia (1996) • Final Justice (1996) • Too Many Ways to Be No. 1 (1996) • The Odd One Dies (1997) • The Intruder (1997) • The Longest Nite (1998) • Expect the Unexpected (1998) • A Hero Never Dies (1998) • Sealed with a Kiss (1999) • Where a Good Man Goes (1998) • Running Out of Time (1999) • The Mission (1999)2000s films Spacked Out (2000) • Needing You... (2000) • Help!!! (2000) • Comeuppance (2000) • Wu yen (2001) • Love on a Diet (2001) • Fulltime Killer (2001) • Let’s Sing Along (2001) • Running Out of Time 2 (2001) • Second Time Around (2001) • Fat Choi Spirit (2002) • My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002) • Love For All Seasons (2003) • PTU (2003) • Looking for Mr. Perfect (2003) • Turn Left, Turn Right (2003) • Running on Karma (2003) • Breaking News (2004) • Throw Down (2004) • Yesterday Once More (2004) • Election (2005) • 2 Become 1 (2006) • Election 2 (2006) • Exiled (2006) • Eye in the Sky (2007) Triangle (2007) • Hooked on You (2007) • Mad Detective (2007) • Linger (2008) • Sparrow (2008) • Tactical Unit - The Code (2008) • Tactical Unit - No Way Out (2008) • Tactical Unit - Human Nature (2008) • Tactical Unit - Partners (2009) • Tactical Unit - Comrades in Arms (2009) • Accident (2009) • Vengeance (2009)2010s films Don't Go Breaking My Heart (2011) • Punished (2011) • Life Without Principle (2011) •Filmmakers Screenwriters Crew Dennis Law • Cheng Siu-Keung • Martin Chappell • May Mok • Patrick Tam • Lai Yiu-Fai • David M. RichardsonSee also Tactical Unit seriesCategories:- Hong Kong films
- 2011 films
- 2010s romantic comedy films
- 2010s drama films
- Cantonese-language films
- Media Asia films
- Milkyway Image films
- Films directed by Johnnie To
- Films directed by Wai Ka-Fai
- Films set in Hong Kong
- Films shot in Hong Kong
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