Yi lu xiang xi (2012)

Yi lu xiang xi: Directed by Mark Wu. With Justin Cheung, Gregory Wong, Mark Wu, Celia Kwok. After breaking up with girlfriend Zeta, Frankie heads north for prostitution where he meets an attractive girl Celia and develops feeling for her.

“The latest Hong Kong 3D sex comedy u0026quot;Due West: Our Sex Journeyu0026quot; comes from the debutant director Mark Wu, who in turns created something fun, slightly refreshing, a good enough story and even some smart antics to boot. A far cry from Wuu0026#39;s previous writing efforts in last yearu0026#39;s terrible u0026quot;Sex and Zen 3Du0026quot; and far better than the recent crude and unnecessary u0026quot;Lan Kwai Fong 2u0026quot;.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWith a bit of research on the internet, the name Mark Wu is associated with Cat 3 and sex selling movies namely the script writing of the atrocious u0026quot;Sex and Zen 3Du0026quot; and theu0026quot; Lan Kwai Fongu0026quot; series. With such accreditations, director Wu does not exactly provide any comfort to the awaiting audience. However, u0026quot;Due Westu0026quot; is surprisingly entertaining, contains an adequate storyline, enjoyable and sexy performances and even having something to say in the process as well.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJustin Cheung is a far better lead actor than Hiro Hayamau0026#39;s ill-fated role in last yearu0026#39;s u0026quot;Sex and Zen 3Du0026quot;. Cheung shows far more character in his role as the slightly nerdy typical local, growing up in the midst of a satirical democracy family that is not unlike Hong Kongu0026#39;s current political situation. What makes Cheungu0026#39;s character interesting is that underlining all the monologues and self-indulgence, he is easily a likable person that the audience can relate towards. Representing the local Hong Kong industry, Celia Kwok does well as Cheungu0026#39;s mainstay girlfriend and despite being an obvious stereotypical take on Hong Kongu0026#39;s girls in general. I probably wonu0026#39;t go into the detail naming each actresses who bare their parts, but it must be admitted that the quality on display (in particular the scene at the camping site and the showing of different types of actual massage on offer) is by far better than the atrocious u0026quot;Sex and Zen 3Du0026quot;. Jeana Ho also appears in a hilarious cameo, while Gregory Wong is suitably cool and Mark Wuu0026#39;s groovy yet realistic appearance provide adequately support as Cheungu0026#39;s accomplice and venture into the world of Mainland prostitution.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDirector Mark Wu succeeds because he clearly respects better filmmakers and there are obvious notions and elements of auteur Wong Kar Wai, Stephen Chow and Pang Ho Cheung throughout in his work. Wu constantly plays with the audience and breaks the third wall through Cheungu0026#39;s constant monologue to the audience. This is extremely effective as the audience can easily walk into the movie and be fully absorbed in the proceeding. Films like these can easily be cheesy and resulting in the audience laughing at the filmmaker and actors alike, but somehow Wu manages to switch this around and created something relevant, smart and sexy enough to satisfy a broader audience base.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll in all, u0026quot;Due West: Our Sex Journeyu0026quot; is probably as good as it get in terms of Cat 3 sex comedy. After the failures of u0026quot;Sex and Zen 3Du0026quot; and to a larger extent u0026quot;Lan Kwai Fong 2u0026quot;, both of which have fallen down the path of being cheap and sleazy without any substance, u0026quot;Due Westu0026quot; holds up surprisingly well and even provide a somewhat satirical look on the sex industry. I am not saying that u0026quot;Due Westu0026quot; is a perfect example of how to shoot a local Cat 3 production, but I must admit that I am pretty impressed with the filmu0026#39;s production values, adequate casting, inside look on the vibrant sex industry, somewhat realistic look on modern relationships and sexy performances all round. For what it is worth, u0026quot;Due Westu0026quot; is easily one of those pure guilty pleasures of the year. (Neo 2012) u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI rate it 7.5/10”