A Moment of Romance: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1990
Director: Benny Chan
Writer: James Yuen
Cast: Andy Lau, Jacklyn Chien-Lien Wu, Ng Man-tat, Wong Kwong-leung, Chu Tit-wo, Lau Kong, Lam Chung, Sandra Lang, Bonnie Wong, Yuen Bun, Leung San, Andi Setyawan, Ng Wui 

Release Date: August 21st, 2023 (UK), August 22nd, 2023 (USA)
Approximate running time: 92 Minutes 17 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK), $34.95 (USA)

"Small-time hood Wah Dee (Andy Lau, Infernal Affairs) is enlisted by Triad boss Trumpet (Tommy Wong, The Killer) as a getaway driver for a daring heist that goes wrong. Thinking fast Dee takes Jo Jo (Jacklyn Chien-Lien Wu, The Barefooted Kid) hostage to save his skin, but the bosses order her to be killed. They escape and begin a forbidden relationship while being chased by both sides of the law." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "A Moment of Romance was scanned and restored in 4K from the original camera negative at L'Immagine Ritrovata Asia. Additional color correction was performed by Radiance Films in 2023." 

A Moment of Romance comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33 GB

Feature: 25.3 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. Flesh tones look healthy; color looks correct; image clarity and black levels are strong; and compression is solid.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese with removable English subtitles. This audio track sounds excellent. Dialog always comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (4 minutes 10 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an archival audio interview with director Benny Chan (21 minutes 232 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a video essay by film critic and Asian cinema expert David Desser on the genre tropes in A Moment of Romance and their use in Hong Kong cinema titled In Love and Danger: HK Cinema Through A Moment of Romance (25 minutes 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng, reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and 28-page booklet (limited to 2000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled Beyond Romance: Andy Lau and Jacklyn Wu in the 90s written by Sean Gilman, an essay titled The Missing Auteur in A Moment of Romance written by Tony Williams, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Directed by Benny Chan, a filmmaker most known for his collaborations with Jackie Chan in Who Am I?, New Police Story, Shaolin, and Rob-B-Hood. The creative talent behind A Moment of Romance includes producer Johnnie To, and filmmakers Ringo Lam and Wong Jing assisted with the planning.

The narrative revolves around Wah Dee, a triad gangster whose paths cross with a woman named Jo-Jo when he takes her hostage after feeling guilty about a jewel heist. From there, Wah Dee and Jo-Jo form an unbreakable bond, which the people from their two different worlds try to tear apart.

A Moment of Romance is an interesting blend of genres; it's equal parts crime film and melodrama, with some humor thrown in for good measure. And though Hong Kong cinema is known for its blending of film genres and unusual tonal shifts, The way these two polar opposites work together in A Moment of Romance never feels forced. In fact, A Moment of Romance might be the best example of Hong Kong cinema blending genres.

The opening setup does a phenomenal job of setting the foundation for the events that follow. In these opening moments, all of the key characters and their motivations are laid out. It is also during this opening setup that director Benny Chan delivers an exceptional jewel heist sequence and the car chase that follows. That said, there are an ample number of thrilling action sequences in A Moment of Romance.

From a performance standpoint, the entire cast is great in the roles, especially Andy Lau (Infernal Affairs) in the role of Wah Dee and Jacklyn Chien-Lien Wu (Eat Drink Man Woman) in the role of Jo-Jo, two star-crossed lovers. Their onscreen chemistry greatly enhances their characters journeys. Another performance of note is Wong Kwong-leung (Wild Search) in the role of Trumpet, a psychopath triad whose thirst for power proves deadly for anyone who crosses him.

A Moment of Romance is best described as a Romeo and Juliet love story with some heroic bloodshed thrown in for good measure. The narrative does a great job balancing melodrama and moments of violence. And though most similar films would end on a more positive note, A Moment of Romance concludes with a bleak finale in which Wah Dee, whose fate was sealed at birth, sees his journey come to a perfect conclusion. Ultimately, A Moment of Romance is an extradorny film that is tense and emotional, and it lingers in your mind long after its haunting finale moment.

A Moment of Romance gets an excellent release from Radiance Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer