All About Love (2010) (DVD) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3

The film revolves around two urbanite lesbians and former lovers, Macy (Sandra Ng) and Anita (Vivian Chow), who meet again at a pregnancy seminar after years apart. The attraction between the women is still strong, and they find themselves falling back in love, despite having had their fair share of ups and downs. The issue of the fathers of their respective babies rears its head, as the men in question make it clear that they want to be involved. Matters are further complicated when Anita finds herself discriminated against at work as a pregnant single mother, putting her budding relationship with Macy under even more strain.

The most pleasing aspect of All About Love is the way in which Hui and Yang manage to combine aspects of the romantic comedy and social conscience drama genres into an entertaining and thoughtful blend. Although the film may sound very much like an overt taboo challenging or issue heavy affair, it's actually first and foremost a very humanistic and warm hearted piece. Whilst it does spend a great deal of time with its characters talking and discussing various key subjects, this is woven into the film quite naturally, and things never get heavy handed or preachy. Certainly, the question of its protagonists' sexuality never really takes centre stage, with the main theme being of gender and family politics in modern Hong Kong. Even this is tackled with a pleasingly wide scope, covering the difficulties faced by both sexes and the complexities which can challenge relationships of all types, and the film is ultimately about commitment and unconventional families as much as anything else.

At the same time, the film is frequently very funny, thanks to Yang's sharp and witty script, which shows a wonderfully observant sense of humour mixed with old fashioned farce. In general this balances well with the film's more worthy aspects, and helps to give things a fun and flirty feel. The relationship between Macy and Anita progresses in a wholly believable manner, and though the film never really throws any truly threatening problems at them, it does keep the viewer interested as to how things will work out between them and the various other characters. Partly this is due to some excellent performances from the cast, with Sandra Ng and Vivian Chow both on great form, and with the male leads providing some effective comedy relief.

The film doesn't always quite work out, and during the last act when things get more serious with the work discrimination case it feels a little strained, as Hui switches to a near-documentary approach which sits somewhat uncomfortably with the previously fluffy and commercial feel. Still, this doesn't matter too much, and All About Love is on the whole very enjoyable, and a fine attempt to chronicle modern Hong Kong society and the concerns of everyday, recognisable people - something which is becoming all too rare. Hui and Yang work very well together, and more of the same would definitely be welcome alongside their more serious outings.

by James Mudge - BeyondHollywood.com