This is not only one of the best films of 1995, but one of the most beautiful romantic comedies ever made in Hong Kong. It's a romantic comedy movie all about the movies. Lau Ching Wan is Chun Wai, screenwriter involved with two actresses: he finds himself livinng with the glamourous Lulu (Ada Choi) but he's in love with her best friend, the far more talented Mei Ball (Anita Yuen).The film follows the three of them through increasing success, spanning the mid 60s to the mid 70s. Lau Ching Wan is in love with Mei but ends up with Lulu instead. Mei, not finding success in the film industry at first, leaves to marry her cousin but soon comes back, only to find success playing male roles.Golden Girls is about the relationships between these characters. The drama comes from Chun Wai's continued pursuit of Mei, even as he is with Lulu. The film is far from all serious. It uses its inside view of the film industry to make numerous jokes about film, producers, directors, and actors.This film is graced by gorgeous sets (after all, this is the movies) and wonderful colors. The film is shot in a way that somehow feels very 60s, particularly in the colors of the film (as opposed to the sets). There are also some hilarious costumes and hairdos that make us wonder just what they were thinking in the 70s (see Boogie Nights). Anita Yuen is simply fantastic: moving, funny, silly, complex: she can show you a whole range of emotions crossing her face, in one simple close-up. Her chemistry with Lau Ching Wan is perfect.It has genuine charm and a level of sophistication rarely equalled in contemporary Asian cinema. The film beautifully captures its era; it is a truly "swinging" comedy.
