I had no idea what to expect from director George Huang’s film ‘Weekend in Taipei’ but I also didn’t know that I would enjoy it as much as I did. Think a cross between the action of a ‘John Wick’ film and the romance of ‘Romancing the Stone’ crossed with car chases reminiscent of ‘The Fast and Furious’ franchise and you have this film. Both my husband and I agreed that it suited both our tastes and was a wonderful way to spend a Friday night.
Co -written by Luc Besson this film is a joint production between France and Taiwan. Paris has a part in the film which will make you smile. The cinematography captures all the beauty of Taipei, a city I knew little about.
The Story
It begins with scenes of Taipei where an angry businessman, the Seafood King called Kwang has been accused of several petty crimes. The reality of his dealings is so much worse. He’s obsessed with his beautiful wife, who we first see mirroring a Holly Golightly moment before she is careering through the streets in a red Ferrari.
Kwang is rich, arrogant and his dealings are on the wrong side of the law so why is this beautiful woman married to him? Her son hates Kwang and sets in motion a series of events that bring an American spy who has links to his mother’s past back to Taipei. Flashbacks show the meeting between our three major characters and their connections which will shape their future.
Driven apart by crime and corruption John Lawlor and Joey Kang are put on a collision course one weekend in Taipei. The two will find that the only thing harder than falling out of love is falling back in love again. Can their romance survive the opposing forces, crime and cultural differences?
It ‘s a whole lot of fun with plenty of car chases, action scenes, brutal fight scenes and a little romance. It’s fast paced and will have you cheering for the good guys as you throw your popcorn at the baddies.
The Characters
Luke Evans (John Lawlor) is superb in this tough guy role playing a pit bull DEA agent married to his job – there’s not a bad guy he can’t stop and nothing he won’t sacrifice to close out a case. We later glimpse his soft centre. Evans is a wonderful action hero.
Joey Kwang, played by Gwei Lun – Mei is mesmerising in this role. The camera loves her. She is tough and hard driving, fast thinking too. Gwei plays a complicated character well. Her Achilles heel is her son, Raymond.
Wyatt Yang plays Raymond beautifully with an innocent and loving demeanour. Kwang (Sung Kang) is suitably menacing.
This is a funny and endearing film filled with the kinds of scenes that moviegoers expect from an action film. It entertains and provides adventure but at its heart is love and family. There is incredible bravery, spectacular fight scenes and some awesome car chases. It’s a human story about making mistakes and compromises but allowing life to give you a second chance. A little gem of a film which is sure to surprise audiences. In cinemas October 31.
Michelle Beesley is a Brisbane born and bred former primary school teacher. A wife, proud grandma and mother of three grown sons, Michelle is thrilled to have recently published her debut contemporary romance novel, It Happened in Paris, with Serenade Publishing. Her novella – Escape to D’ Amour was published in 2019. Michelle’s work can be found in the anthologies – Destination Romance and Short & Sweet. When not reading or writing Michelle can be found at a coffee shop chatting with friends, front row at a fashion show, or beside a rugby union field cheering on her favourite teams.
Michelle is a reluctant traveller, Francophile, keen walker and avid yoga enthusiast plus a book, film and theatre lover who loves everything pink and sparkly (including champagne). You can find Michelle on instagram @michellebeesley_writer and her website: michellebeesley.com.
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