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When Tsui Hark oversaw the restoration of Shanghai Blues, I’m sure fans will want to see this film again on the big screen. This ambitious film is a screwball romantic comedy set during the late 30s, where a lonely soldier boy and a young woman meet and hope to reunite. Their first encounter long ago under a bridge, during a raid where they couldn’t see each other’s faces, was fated, but finding each other again will be a problem!
As fate would have it, they end up living in the same building, unbeknownst to each other. Through a series of mishaps, he mistakes her ingénue roommate for his love interest, and a wacky love triangle hijinks ensue.
Watching this film again was a joy, and the nostalgia trip was more connected with the music used. The restoration looks gorgeous, and I’m certainly wanting to see it again in the environment that it’s meant for–the big screen! Preview copies of the film on 4K at home on a monitor is one thing, but a region one release is not yet available. Aside from some minor grain here and there, I simply need to look at it proper.
When this film is one of Hark’s early efforts, newcomers can see where he excels as a director. There are some notable nods to the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema in this work. And as for how he keeps the rom com formula alive, that’s because he’s not following a particular template. Sometimes the challenge is tough, like in Chinese Ghost Story (how I first came to discover him). But for realism, I’m sure those casting calls have the talents reading the script together to ensure they got that pizzazz. When the world he creates feels lived-in and alive, one can’t help but want to sing along.
And I must note, although Peking Blues is not a sequel, the humour instilled is just as classic.
4 Stars out of 5
Shanghai Blues Restoration Trailer (unofficial)
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