The Misty Moon
Director: Richard Chen Yao-chi
Year: 1978
Rating: 5.0
For me there is a
quaint pleasure in looking back at some of Brigitte Lin’s early film work.
Long before she became a huge HK film icon – and her films were full of baleful
glares and swirling sleeves and mind-blowing imagery – she was a big star
in her homeland of Taiwan – but in a very different type of film.
During the 1970’s she performed in a large
number of sudsy/weepy little dramas that have a little bit of comedy, some
smaltzy music (which I must admit to having developed a weakness for), human
drama and often a fair share of heartbreak. On some occasions all ends on
a bleak tragic note, while at other times all the issues of love are resolved
for a happy ever after ending. I think the audience for these films was likely
lonely housewives and adolescent girls – who would sit in the dark theaters
and cry their eyes out whenever Brigitte would have her heart broken yet once
again.
Admittedly, I would never view these types of films if it weren’t for the
fact that Brigitte graces them. They feel very corny and outdated some twenty
years after they were made – but Brigitte was just so stunningly beautiful
back then that it tears at your heart. Her face just entrances you as it swerves
between a myriad of expressions - from hesitant smiles to indignant glares
to inconsolable grief.
Misty Moon has some nice moments – a bit
of an edge to the characters – some nice natural dialogue – but regrettably
a love story that doesn’t exactly grab you by the heart. Brigitte is a kindergarten
teacher and one-day she comes across the little girl who lives across the
hall from her (Brigitte still lives with her family) in the stairwell of her
apartment building. This kid is the evil seed – just a wretched child that
needs a good thrashing – which is exactly what Brigitte does to her!
The child’s father – Charlie Chin (also a big Taiwanese heartthrob in the
70’s, but best known to HK film fans for his appearances in the first two
Lucky Star films) – later tells Brigitte to mind her own business. He is a
bit of a pathetic fellow – always saying things like “I’m worthless. Useless.”
– and gets drunk much of the time. His wife left him a few years back and
he has seemingly not gotten over it. Still for some unexplainable reason Brigitte
becomes attracted to him. It must be his saying things like “You can’t keep
a perfect pearl in a torn pocket”, to which Brigitte tenderly replies “Let
me sew that pocket”. I’ll have to remember that one – except I’m sure any
girl I know would reply “Torn pocket? Perfect pearl? What the hell are you
talking about – why don’t you just take it to the tailor”. Not Brigitte though
- she understands this tortured soul perfectly.
It’s all very . . . unconvincing and who really cares. Charlie is just such
a wanker that who could believe that Brigitte would fall for him. And then
the ex-wife shows up – and Brigitte wonders will Charlie still love her. Hopefully
not, Brigitte!
This film is basically for the pleasure of viewing Brigitte only – watch
her dance the twist, sing a lullaby, shed some tears and look so very lovely.