reel: LOVE ON A DIET 瘦身男女

Title: LOVE ON A DIET

traditional Chinese: 瘦身男女

simplified Chinese:瘦身男女

romanized: Sau san naam neui

Mandarin: Shòu Shēn Nán Nǚ

Cantonese: Sau3 San1 Naam4 Neoi2

Director: Johnnie To & Wai Kai-fai

Writer: Wai Kai-fai & Yau Nai-hoi

released date: June 21, 2001

running time: 95 minutes

country: Hong Kong

language: Cantonese – Japanese – English

CAST:

ANDY LAU as Fatso

SAMMI CHENG as Mini Mo

PLOT (wikipedia)

Mini Mo (Sammi Cheng) is a Hong Kong resident living in Japan. She suffers from depression, low self-esteem and a binge eating disorder – the result which sees her suffers from extreme obesity. A failed suicide attempt causes her to meet Fatso (Andy Lau), a Hong Kong salesman working in Japan who is also obese.

Mini sticks with Fatso everywhere, and although initially vexed by Mini, Fatso discovers the reason behind her depression. Mini cannot forget her former boyfriend, Kurokawa, who is now a world-famous pianist. Ten years ago, the two had pledged to meet at the foot of Yokohama Marine Tower on the night of their break-up. Mini is fearful of meeting Kurokawa in her present size. Touched by her story and her sweet nature, Fatso promises to whip her back into shape.

After trying desperate means of losing weight (such as swallowing tapeworms and exercising to Dance Dance Revolution), Mini finally sheds pounds. But Fatso finds his funds running low. To earn enough to finance Mini's weight-loss programs, he opens a boxing gig on the streets allowing on-lookers to punch him to vent their pent-up frustrations. He next enrolls Mini on an expensive weight-loss program, which proves to be very successful. Mini regains her former slim and pretty look.

On the night of her reunion with Kurokawa, Fatso drops Mini off at Tokyo Tower and she meets up with former beau under the gazing eyes of the local media. The pair are interviewed by a local network, but Mini notices another broadcast featuring Fatso's street boxing gig. She finally realizes how much Fatso has sacrificed himself for her and is moved to tears. Turning to apologize to Kurokawa, she leaves hastily.

Months later, Mini publishes a bestseller on dieting, and finds a slimmed-down Fatso carrying her book in a park. The two kiss, promising never to leave each other again.

REVIEW:

I love Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng tandem! 

This movie is very entertaining - definitely one of my fave Chinese rom-com. Their transition from being obese to fit is pretty amazing. This movie interprets that everyone is going through a struggle and one should not judge the book by it's cover and let's not miss an opportunity to better ourselves. 

credits ~ Google Images, Wikipedia