Isabella (2006)

Director: Edmond Pang Ho-Cheung

Producer: Edmond Pang Ho-Cheung, Chapman To Man-Chat

Cast: Chapman To Man-Chat, Isabella Leung Lok-Sze, Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung, J. J. Jia, Meme Tian, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Josie Ho Chiu-Yee, Shawn Yu Man-Lok, Jim Chim Sui-Man

Running Time: 109 min.

Plot: Suspended for suspected corruption, police officer Shing he tries to find solace with a woman he picks up on the street. As he tries to smooth-talk her to bed, she snaps back with the biggest turn-off imaginable...

Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com

MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S REVIEW: After seeing the trailer, I wanted to love this movie. Since it didn't work out that way, there's a chance this flick may be a victim of high expectations.

Anyways, the problem with Isabella is director Edmond Pang is trying to be Wong Kar Wai. Plain and simple. It's cool and all, but come on? Too many forced artsy shots of Chapman To smoking a cigarette or leaning against a slot machine; or just some wannabe art house angle of some wall or something.

On the plus side, the performances are great. The music is beautiful ("O Gente Da Minha Terra" by Mariza is a sweet tune and really adds flavor to this average movie; as does the rest of the soundtrack). Isabella Leung (yes, her name is Isabella in real life) is one hell of a sight to look at. The cinematography and exotic location of Macau are classy.

All this makes a great trailer, but a forgettable movie.

I do have faith in Edmond Pang. After some fine-tuning and maybe some of his own original ideas, I'm sure he's capable of making a great movie of this kind.

MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S RATING: 6/10 (the trailer 10/10)