紫薇園的秋天 (1958)

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紫薇園的秋天 (1958)

Autumn Comes to Purple Rose Garden

Reviewed by: dleedlee
Date: 02/23/2004

Eerily, this film reminded me of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. But instead of taking place in an mental institution, it happens at home. The tyrant is the matriarch, Granny Kok, who holds the financial purse strings after the grandfather passed away.

The story begins when Yiu (Pak Yin) arrives to the Crepe Myrtle Garden to tutor the youngest boy. She soon learns that she's entered a strange household where the docile father (Wong Cho-San) seeks refuge through meditation in a tower, a sickly step-son (Ng Chor-Fan) through painting and the violin, his suicidal older sister (Wong Man-Lei) in playing the piano. Another son (Cheung Wood Yau) and daughter (Yung Siu-Yi) seek escape by staying out partying, dancing and through sports. Slowly, Yiu brings life and hope to the household.

Wong Man-Lei delivers a terrific performance as the daughter first forced to marry for money, then when widowed, still refused to marry her true love. Eventually, she finds the courage to go rebel against her grandmother's wishes.

Highly recommended.

Reviewer Score: 8