Customer Reviews

Shanghai Kiss

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great film about an Asian American coming to terms with his heritage and his American upbringing, as well as reconciling his romantic lives. It touches upon Asian American alientation that many Asian Americans can relate with.

A MUST BUY in my opinion.

Heartfelt and wonderful performances by the leads. Shanghai Kiss is an underated film that warms the heart. Hayden Panettiere steals your heart and Ken Leung provides emotional depth and a complex, flawed lead.

Leung's chemistry with his pal is priceless.

Don't just Netflix it. Buy it! The plot was so original and unique in so many different ways. The dialogue of Ken Leung was downright spotless. Hayden Panettiee's is growing and I don't mean her age. She hones into the character of Adelaide. If your an Asian-American and you're reading this review, I suggest you to chase this DVD and study it like a f**king text book. The film deals with lost identity, something every Asian-American (male) goes through in life. It's a reflection of Hollywood, romance, miscommunication, social association and reality. Most importantly...finally a Chinese leading male actor gets its!!
The only flaw with the DVD features that there is no subtitles and the behind the scenes were 'ehh'.

I got this movie as part of the Amazon Vine program in the UK, it was one of those moments where you simply just select an item because it's free and you know that you only have to write a review for it afterwards. I chose this movie as it starred Hayden Panettiere and I've become a fan of her acting from her role as Clare in the hit TV series Heroes. I have to admit that I didn't expect much, I expected a low budget movie with very little acting talent (with the exception of Hayden & Leung of course.) I was extremely surprised as I was given much, much more than I had expected. I was given a love movie that set the standard for which all other movies should try to aim for, it was intelligent, funny and heartwarming. The characters were believable and portrayed those who faced a genuine struggle, not only with their heart but with their identity; at least that's the struggle that faces Ken Leungs character, Liam Liu.

The story revolves around a struggling American Asian actor called Liam Liu, one day after being rejected from an audition for a toothpaste commercial he's forced to ride the bus home as his car was towed due to unpaid parking tickets. While on the bus he meets a flirty, sweet and intelligent teenager called Adelaide and they quickly become friends but although "Addy" looks at Liam as her Boyfriend he doesn't feel that way, or at least he thinks he doesn't. One day he receives a call from his alcoholic Father to inform him that his grandmother has died and left him her $500,000 house in Shanghai. He goes over there with the intention of selling the house, but while there he falls in love with the house and a new girl called Micki Yang. While living in China he discovers more about his true culture and identity that he ever thought he would, but he can't help but feel that his heart is still in the USA with Addy.

I absolutely loved this movie and I'm glad I gave it a chance, if you've never heard of it before or you're not the type of person to check out a pretty unknown movie then please take my strong recommendation for this one as you wont be disappointed.

It's a shame this movie wasn't given more exposure, especially with the rise in popularity of Hayden Panettiere. Hopefully a studio will pick up the film and release it in theatres. Wonderful chemistry between the two leads and the ending was as heartfelt as that in the movie "ONCE" (also an Indie film).
Loved the cinematography, the film sequences in Shanghai really brings out the beauty of the city, definitely had the feel and quality of a film on a much larger budget.
Excellent score, especially loved Hayden's song "Home" during the closing credits, wish they would release a soundtrack for the film, haven't been able to find the song anywhere, including Hayden's website or her fanclub's.

All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised with this film and believe it or not this was my first introduction to Hayden Panettiere (haven't watched Heroes, but will be checking it out now, and became an instant fan.

great movie, it encompasses a captivating story line and solid acting. At the end of the movie, you will really care about what happens to the characters. a really good coming of age film, too bad it wasn't shown in mainstream cinemas.

Ken Leung is deeply moving as Liam in the film "Shanghai Kiss." This film goes right to the heart as it explores what this unemployed actor feels like at 28 with no job prospects or close family connections. He is deeply depressed that he is financially dependent on his disapproving father. He can not find or give love as he doesn't understand himself. Hayden Paniettiere, a kooky and smart teenage friend, provides Liam with an anchor of companionship. She glows as an example of strength, fun, and positive energy. Liam is confused and embarrassed as he he is drawn to her because of their age difference. Joining Liam on his painful journey of self and the answers he needs to begin a fulfilling life is very satisfying. This movie is thoughtfully written and beautifully acted.

This is one of the best movies about American Asian male stereotypes. Its about time. Ken and Hayden's performance are excellent throughout. For a direct to dvd movie, it is quite polished and has a great quality about it. Definitely one of the best non rated movies I have seen. I really recommend it. It is ironic that a movie promoting Asian Americans to break stereotypes features Hayden's pretty face on the cover, while Ken Leung is blurred in the background. Perhaps doing a karate kick. Just kidding.

I saw this movie and I have to say that it plays out better than Lost in Translation, even without the support of a studio. People did not fall in love in this movie because of a forced situation, but because it happens. Yet it also plays out being a foreigner in a different land (the taxi scene really had on the floor)
Granted, some of the scenes in China could have used some big budget helpbut it was a great movie and really brings out feelings of being an assimilated Asian American in the United States and rediscovering your roots. Granted I felt the ending was a tad weak... but it was possibly most realistic. This movie earns an extra star because I left watching this movie with something extra, and it has James Hong who played Lo Pan from "Big Trouble in Little China" so it get's a 5 and I will recommend it to all.

Being an Asian American, i can identify with nearly every scene in this movie. From the alienation with one's own parents to alienation in society. Konwiser and Ren puts it all together in a very cathartic, original and unique package that for me was something i had never experienced from a movie. It centers around very specific and unique issues that every Asian American male experiences in his life and finally, is captured in film. This is a milestone in film history; a must see for every Asian American.

YL