Cantonese film ‘A Home with a View’ plays off HK’s soaring property prices, but even Anita Yuen can’t save weak script [Movie Review]
Star-studded cast includes Louis Koo and Francis Ng, but film is let down by mediocre writing
Playing on Hong Kong’s ridiculously high property prices, A Home With a View is a star-studded, but mediocre, local dark comedy that highlights the hardships facing HongKongers.
Man (Francis Ng) spends his life savings to buy an old flat in a noisy neighbourhood for his family. But with five people sharing the cramped space, surrounded by inconsiderate neighbours, the family are far from content.
But while they often feel stressed and irritated, and constantly take their frustrations out on each other, they are always able to calm themselves by looking out at their home’s ocean view.
But their blissful escape is suddenly taken away when a giant billboard is installed on the rooftop of a nearby building, blocking their view. To re-establish peace within the household, the family must go up against the illegal billboard’s ruthless owner (Louis Koo), and get rid of it.
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The performances from both leads, Ng and Yuen Wing-yi, playing Man’s wife, is incredibly convincing, but sadly the rest of the cast do not seem to share a particularly strong chemistry.
Moreover, the jokes throughout the farcical comedy are hit and miss, with at least half of their attempts to draw laughter failing.
This is a genuine and relatable portrayal of the real-life struggles of Hongkongers, and though well-intended, it is far from perfect.
Edited by Nicole Moraleda