Product Details

• Actors: Ye Liu, Jun Hu, Bin Li, Huatong Li, Shuang Li
• Directors: Stanley Kwan
• Writers: Jimmy Ngai
• Producers: Yongning Zhang, Qin Jian
• Format: Color, Letterboxed, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: Cantonese
• Subtitles: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Strand Releasing
• VHS Release Date: April 15, 2003
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000094J7Y
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #541,548 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Emotional Lives of Men, May 24, 2003

By 

mackjay (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lan Yu (DVD)

LAN YU is a beautifully filmed, impressionistic look at a human dilemma: not recognizing what you really want until it's too late. Director Stanley Kwan has made an intelligent film that conveys genuine emotion without theatricality. There is much that rings true in this story for gay men, or anyone, of any age. Based on an incredibly popular 'E-novel' from an anonymous author, Jimmy Ngai's screenplay strikes many true chords and, along with a well-realized mise-en-scene, creates a completely believeable world.

Casting seems ideal. Thirty-something Hangdong is played with great range by Jun Hu, and he looks convincing in the part as well. Playing Lan Yu, who ages from late teens into twenties, is remarkable Ye Liu. The men meet as part of a transaction: money for sex, paid by wealthy Hangdong. The sex scenes are presented with honesty, sensuality and without ambiguity. Yet, early on, it becomes clear to both that more is going on than physicality. For a short time, they pursue a relationship. Then everything is altered by choices made by one of the men. The main part of the film, told as a memory, is the playing out of the consequences of his choice. If these characters were heterosexual, the film's plot might be dismissed as hackneyed. But with the added dynamic of male/male relations in a homophobic world and with Kwan's dream-like, often poetic directing style, we have something ultimately original and worth experiencing.

The film is presented letterboxed on the DVD and it looks very good. The often rich textures of the image come across beautifully. Also on the disc: a video interview with the director and four trailers for other gay-interest films.

LAN YU has real emotional impact and sensuality. It deserves a wide audience.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible Chinese love story....between two men!, September 1, 2003

By 

Daryl B (Nashville, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lan Yu (DVD)

I didn't expect the emotional involvement that I developed during this film. The only other Chinese directed film I've watched involving a love story between two men was "The Wedding Banquet", which I enjoyed tremendously. This movie, however, I bought on a whim and it payed off! The story centers around a young architecture student who begins an affair with an older ,successful business man. Lan Yu, the student, is wooed with dinners, money and many superficial things (none of which are important to him) but eventually has his heart broken by Hangdong, who can't commit to a relationship that he thinks will never last. He feels that he must commit to a proper marriage with a woman, and after meeting a smart, beautiful woman that fits the bill as the perfect wife, he marries her and ends his relationship with Lan Yu. Fate, however, brings the two men together some time later after Hangdong has divorced his wife and the two become lovers again but not before Hangdong's job and personal freedom are threatened. Lan Yu, at this time, proves how deeply he loves Hangdong. I won't go further into detail about what happens from there nor will I give away the ending.

"Lan Yu" is a very good movie that people, gay or straight, should see. If you want a really good film, a great date movie, or just a really good love story, buy this film. You will not be disappointed.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST LOVE STORIES EVER!, July 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lan Yu (DVD)

I just watched this heartbreaking love story. It doesn't matter that it is gay, it is one of those films that reveals how the love of your life can be right in front of you and how you sometimes don't realize it until its too late. The guys are so handsome in this film, it just makes you realize the effect a beautiful love story can have on you!
Don't miss this one, and the DVD is gorgeous!