A Simple Life (PG)

Original title: “Tao jie”

Hong Kong  –  Year: 2011  –  Running time: 118 mins

CFC Member feedback for this film: Rating: ★★★★½ (4.66 / 5 from 32 responses)

  • ‘Excellent’: 21 votes
  • ‘Very Good’: 11 votes

In this thoughtful and intelligent film, Roger is one of only two remaining occupants of the apartment where he was brought up. The other is the ageing household maid-cum-nanny, Ah Tao, who has been with the family since she was a teenager. When she has a stroke and asks to be put into a care home, Roger unhesitatingly takes on the administrative and financial burden himself. To other inhabitants of the care home, Ah Tao introduces him as her “god-son” and Roger realises this is how he now thinks of himself, even as her son.

Director: Ann Hui
July Rhapsody (2002) / All About Love (2010)

CFC Film Notes (Jon Wisbey)
CFC Film Notes (Nigel Best)
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One thought on “A Simple Life (PG)

  1. excellent film. very sensitively played by both actors, especially Ah Tao. agree with the !anti sentimental” comment in opening discussion if that means not sentimental. shocking to see what conditions elderly people end their days in, especially in a culture where old people were once respected and lovingly cared for by their families. don’t think she got what she deserved – not the strokes anyhow, but wished her servant humilty would have allowed her to accept their gifts and care and given her the retirement she deserved after serving four generations. beautifully filmed – i loved the exchange between them when her grandson teases her about a male admirer. she’s so playful and young at heart and loves him more than his own mother. great choice.

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