cityonfire.com | Sea Root

	Sea Root "It's one of those art house films that would have been commonly seen 10 years ago at an international film festival." - Equinox21 Sea Root (1995) Director: Lee Gwok Laap, Chiu Aau Chong Chok Siu Cho Writer: Raymond To Cast: Lau Ching Wan, Alice Lau Ar-Lai, Lee Fung, Yip Chun, Woo Fung, Lee Gwok Cheung, Hoh Ho Yuen, Lok Daat Wa Running Time: 95 min. Plot: SEA ROOT's title refers to the protagonist, Root. It also describes the character's ties with the sea, the strength of whose attachments can be seen in: Him and his parents (who are played by Yip Chun and Lee Fung) opting to live--not just work--on boats (rather than land); along with the reticent man's tendency, for much of his life, to look to the sea rather than to people for comfort and solace as well as companionship. This under-rated character-driven film excels on multiple fronts. Its "slice-of-life" approach combined with unique plot and excellent acting make it a very enjoyable and interesting movie. Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com Reviews EQUINOX21'S REVIEW: Sea Root is another one of those mid-90âs, rarely heard of Lau Ching-Wan movies. I really didnât know what to expect, especially as this was my first Rating I Hong Kong movie. What I got was a sweet movie, but nothing more memorable than a few good performances. Root, a quiet man who lives on a house boat with his mother and father, seems destined to go nowhere with his life. He has a few problems, such as a stammer in his speech, being a little slow since he was prematurely born, and being the first blamed by all his family for any problems that arise, but he's actually a decent, hard-working guy. After his siblings leave the house boat for jobs on land, the family buys a girl from the Mainland, Lotus, who changes his life for the better. If I had to compare Sea Root to any other story, the one that I think would come most close would have to be Cinderella, only not as polished. Though the performances were, for the most part, good, the movie was on the slow (read ãboringä) side. Itâs not because the story wasnât good, it was fine, itâs just that it played out so slowly, with so few dramatic moments (until the end) it really didnât draw me in. The finale also let me down, as it didnât explain how the situation was resolved, it simply was resolved. Though, it wasnât really negative, it wasnât anything special. I didnât mind the movie, but I wouldnât really recommend it for most Hong Kong movie fans. Itâs one of those art house films that would have been commonly seen 10 years ago at an international film festival. I really canât complain, though, because Lau Ching-Wan was, as usual, better than gawd! EQUINOX21'S RATING: 6.5/10

Sea Root

"It's one of those art house films that would have been commonly seen 10 years ago at an international film festival."

- Equinox21

Sea Root (1995)

Director: Lee Gwok Laap, Chiu Aau Chong Chok Siu Cho

Writer: Raymond To

Cast: Lau Ching Wan, Alice Lau Ar-Lai, Lee Fung, Yip Chun, Woo Fung, Lee Gwok Cheung, Hoh Ho Yuen, Lok Daat Wa

Running Time: 95 min.

Plot: SEA ROOT's title refers to the protagonist, Root. It also describes the character's ties with the sea, the strength of whose attachments can be seen in: Him and his parents (who are played by Yip Chun and Lee Fung) opting to live--not just work--on boats (rather than land); along with the reticent man's tendency, for much of his life, to look to the sea rather than to people for comfort and solace as well as companionship. This under-rated character-driven film excels on multiple fronts. Its "slice-of-life" approach combined with unique plot and excellent acting make it a very enjoyable and interesting movie.

Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com

Reviews

EQUINOX21'S REVIEW: Sea Root is another one of those mid-90âs, rarely heard of Lau Ching-Wan movies. I really didnât know what to expect, especially as this was my first Rating I Hong Kong movie. What I got was a sweet movie, but nothing more memorable than a few good performances.

Root, a quiet man who lives on a house boat with his mother and father, seems destined to go nowhere with his life. He has a few problems, such as a stammer in his speech, being a little slow since he was prematurely born, and being the first blamed by all his family for any problems that arise, but he's actually a decent, hard-working guy. After his siblings leave the house boat for jobs on land, the family buys a girl from the Mainland, Lotus, who changes his life for the better.

If I had to compare Sea Root to any other story, the one that I think would come most close would have to be Cinderella, only not as polished. Though the performances were, for the most part, good, the movie was on the slow (read ãboringä) side. Itâs not because the story wasnât good, it was fine, itâs just that it played out so slowly, with so few dramatic moments (until the end) it really didnât draw me in. The finale also let me down, as it didnât explain how the situation was resolved, it simply was resolved. Though, it wasnât really negative, it wasnât anything special.

I didnât mind the movie, but I wouldnât really recommend it for most Hong Kong movie fans. Itâs one of those art house films that would have been commonly seen 10 years ago at an international film festival. I really canât complain, though, because Lau Ching-Wan was, as usual, better than gawd!

EQUINOX21'S RATING: 6.5/10