Even though I'm all for happy endings, I was a little sceptical about Flavia falling in love with Yip, and I doubt their relationship would work out.
First of all I didn't think Yip was free spirited, instead I thought she was selfish (for hte way she treated her roommate) and scandalous (for the way she plotted to get Flavia).
It still buffles me as to why Flavia would fall in love with such a character, I believe Yip is just an excuse in F's life, she was sick of her sham marriage and wanted way out, Yip rejuvenated her desire to be true to herself and made the exit legitimate (otherwise the husband would never let her go).
On the other hand Yip's desire for Flavia was induced by the excitement of conquering a married/mature woman, to me it was unrealistic for a young girl to chase after someone like Flavia if it weren't for some kind of a game, at least at the very beginning.
So to answer the question whether the ending I like, I thought it wasn't realistic enough, the protagonists' life styles are too different to live happily ever after, Flavia was taking a plunge (or letting her slippers fall) into this relationship that would probably end within two months, but because the director has a message to spread, the movie's been forced to end on a happy note.
I read a cantonese interview with the actor who played Flavia, one of the questions was 'how were you feeling when you had to kiss [the actor who played Yip]?', and her answer was: 'it was pretty hard, but I just pretend she's dead and proceed.' So there you go folks.
reply
share
sixdifferentways-1
17 years ago
actually i liked the ending.. but i wish flavia would have ended up with jin instead haha.. i dunno.
but since jin turned into a monk, i'm guessing she's not a lesbo anymore? but not straight either
reply
share
utenatenjou
17 years ago
hmm...so you're saying that people that have "differences" can't live together?
i see that it wasn'that realistic but it can happen. maybe the movie failed to show you how that kind of relationship wouldevelop - it was quite fast, the story jumped from Flavia's memories of Jin in college to the present with Yip.
but i was refering to thending of the movie = about how the slippers represented Flavia's decisions. and her true nature. i don'think it was a "plunge" that she took = plunge indicating a fall that is FORCED ~ to me, in thend, she saw something that could've been difficulto adapto (the slipper slipping down where she can't reach without moving - like another place that's hard to geto) but instead thought optimistically about it and went withe flow (cast the other slipper down to be together) - not by wearing the slippers to walk in, butrusting the intuition behind it ~
i guess this+is all subjective and i respecthat you wanted a morealistic story though i definitely think it's possible. all things are. people just have different views. it just resonated with me because i saw this character (Flavia) who'so pent up about how she really feels and for her to let go like that athending was very enlightening ~ Yip's "differences" definitely helped Flavia become a Butterfly. and yes, you mentioned that you doubtheirelationship would work out...well, they are now both butterflies...didn't you know butterflies have a short lifespan? they spend all this time as larvaes consuming everything around them and then pupate in cocoons to become this evolved creature with wings ~ just for thathey transform to have this freedom -
and it doesn't really matter that it ends - all things end - it's justhat significantime in our lives when we can all finally have the space and time to be ourselves ~
as for Josie Ho's remark: she's not completely comfortable witherole, she said she did it because it was a challenge - i think she isomeone who is afraid to be criticized for what she says out of a character she plays, especially a "lesbian" in Hong Kong cinema that's not a porn but a movie that iseriously depicting a story about a woman falling in love with another woman.
Like the Truth becomes a Lie ~ Hyo-Shin
reply
share
see_you_later
17 years ago
It's nice to see things from another perspective. Points taken.
reply
share
bloodbathory
17 years ago
I always thought that the slippers symbolised her husband and her child. I mean, she let the one go (her husband) so.. she let the other one drop/go to be with it - because they belonged together. Not only that, it meant that she was now free of them. That's how I saw it, anyway. I suppose it's a good enough ending.
And yes, I'd think there would be a great possibility that they break up in the next few months or within the year... (not saying that they wouldn't have a chance though... things like that CAN work out) but still, their relationship signifies how they are free, and have nothing now holding them back. Butterflies flutter from flower to flower, and then... they die. But while they're alive they're free to fly do what they want, and I guess that's part of the appeal.
reply
share
ljr-x25
17 years ago
No the slippers did not signify her child they were her husband and straight life.She had no intention of letting her go.As for them I think they make it,Yip is her wings and she can't be a butterfly without her.Plus the directer said so kinda.
I'm Bi so what!
reply
share