July Rhapsody

just cant take my eyes off Karena as always (all of her early films were great performed) a solid mellow drama, nice =)

The story is good, but it's so slow. I already know what's coming half way through. Should have made it 30mins long.

Ann Hui is an excellent storyteller, but it is sometimes difficult to see what one gets out of her movies because at the end of the slow pace there’s seldom any catharsis or huge plot twist ie. no big reward for the viewer. But the directorial restraint and understated emotion makes this movie easy to relate to in an everyday manner, and that’s a sign of good filmmaking.

Een aangrijpende prent over midlife crisis, verleiding en het terugblikken op de keuzes en invloeden die ons gevormd hebben

One of the most beautifully shot HK films I've ever seen. The colours and grain of the film stock were perfect. Camerawork was polished. Could barely understand it without English subs, so I'd have to watch it again, but just the way the scenes played out, and the time period it was set in lends itself to being an outstanding work of art.

With a beautifully composed script by Ivy Ho and secure direction from Ann Hui, July Rhapsody has quite the emotional impact. The way the story slowly unfolds itself, proportionately and objectively, makes emotional investment natural and effortless. The movie's affect also depends largely on very realistic characters, presented as real human beings with equal amounts of merits and flaws, and handled sensitively by each member of the cast. Karena Lam is a true revelation here, skillfully avoiding any tempting Lolitaisms, and Jacky Cheung also manages to refer from the potential sensationalistic exploitation of his character. Anita Mui is perhaps somewhat aloof in her final performance on screen, but in a way that fits the narrative and her character's emotional development. The midlife crisis theme could easily turn into a very ugly thing in the hands of any director, but in July Rhapsody there is only sad lingering beauty.

Not bad but i think Karena Lam's acting is not good enough

KY Lam done a good job in this movie, consider back than she was still pretty new

Battling the emotional demons of the past that brought them together return and truly test the duralbility of their marriage and the belief in the family they created.

Is this the middle-aged men's dream?