Renowned for crafting mesmerizing gangster dramas, Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To captivates audiences with intense gunfights, gripping stories, and layered characters. Yet, To’s prowess extends beyond crime tales. One of my personal favorites is his foray into the realm of romantic comedy with Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, co-directed alongside his frequent partner Wai Ka-fai. This film stands out as one of the finest love triangle stories, ideal for a cozy holiday movie night with someone special. But if you’re planning to catch it, do so quickly—it’s set to depart from Netflix on December 1. Currently, it’s not available for digital purchase or rental elsewhere, other streaming platforms don’t have it, and physical copies are either pricey or hard to track down.
The film stars three attractive and charismatic actors, laying the groundwork for a delightful romance. We follow Chi-yan (played by Gao Yuanyuan), a financial analyst fresh out of a relationship, who finds herself torn between two intriguing men: a CEO (Louis Koo) who once let her down and an architect (Daniel Wu) who she helps recover from a low point.
Both men bring their own charms and qualities as potential partners—Koo’s CEO promises financial security yet remains emotionally distant, while Wu’s architect offers heartfelt affection, although still piecing his life together. This isn’t just any love triangle; it’s far from the cliché "one good, one bad" scenario. To cleverly uses the backdrop of a financial crisis to liken finding a partner to shopping in the dating marketplace. Viewers might lean towards different outcomes for Chi-yan, yet it’s easy to envision her happy with either choice. Adding to the intrigue, the two men, at different times, work in a building opposite Chi-yan’s, sparking one of the film’s most charming features: they exchange flirtatious messages by sticking notes on their glass windows, forming smiley faces and thoughtful messages. These windows set the stage for delightful rom-com mix-ups and amusing misunderstandings.
The film is peppered with humor, featuring visual gags, witty dialogue, and plenty of slapstick moments. Blending elements of His Girl Friday and Playtime, it delivers pure enjoyment. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart showcases a masterful director in his prime, seamlessly excelling in the romantic comedy genre.
Catch Don’t Go Breaking My Heart on Netflix before it disappears after November 30.
