(Hong Kong) “Hot Summer Days” has got its timing all wrong. As the title suggests, the film is set during an unusually hot summer (a rather fictional 48 degrees)—so why the hell do you open the movie in February? This ensemble film is basically a Hong Kong-style “Valentine’s Day”(the other ensemble romantic comedy of the moment), and it too is all about love, featuring a star-studded cast. So we ask again: why open the film now, just after the Valentine’s Day/Chinese New Year weekend? They kinda missed the love boat on that one.
Taiwanese director Robin Lee spins a fine fantasy in this charming romantic comedy. Unlike many of her fellow female Taiwanese directors, who are currently making cutting-edge films focusing on gender issues, this is a sweet portrait of an adorable heroine named Duo Duo, whose goal in life is to have a happy ending in the vein of Cinderella and Snow White.
