Ciao UFO

There is maybe more of the metaphorical UFO here than any real one, but it serves as quite a useful conduit for the stories of the lives of three childhood friends. It's "Kin", "Hoy-Yi" and "Heem" who are on the roof of the hospital amidst an almost biblical thunderstorm when they see something emerge from the clouds that continues to inspire them for the rest of heir lives. "Heem" has leukemia but is currently in remission; "Kin" is there following an accident at sea that has rendered his beloved father on death's door and then there's "Hoy-Yi" who appears to be the stabilising influence as tragedy surely looms. What now ensues bounces around their chronologies as the three find their adult lives taking unpredictable turns in an Hong Kong preparing for the handover in 1997 and the millennium shortly thereafter. "Kin" (Chui Tien-You) has amassed almost a quarter of a million dollars so he can leave the colony, but when he is tempted by the stock market his fortunes start to change as the Hang Seng goes spiral. How sustainable is that, though? Meantime, "Heem" (Wong You-Nam) sees his life travel along more stable lines until the death of his revered grandfather has a far-reachingly traumatic effect on him and then, finally, "Hoy-Yi" (Charlene Choi) finds herself preparing for a marriage with the rather pedestrian "Austin" (Joey Cho Yiu Leung) which she seems destined to drift into, despite every alarm bell in her head ringing loudly. All three friends have long-since drifted apart but with the nuptials looming, and with all three in need of redemption, perhaps now is a time for fate to take an hand and unite the trio - and her now grown up brother "Little Guy" (Ng Siu-Hin) and allow them to focus on a promise they made to each other years ago. The constant swapping of timelines and characters takes a bit of getting used to, but once we've got the gist of what is going on this delivers quite a telling critique of human nature. The very fine lines between success and failure as well as happiness and loneliness are clearly exposed as these people have to come to terms with their own demons, vulnerability and aspirations. "Kin" has more of the play, and his character exposed to more of the ups and downs of life, but there are also strong performances from the others and from the children who play their parts well throughout (I especially liked the large-spectactled and entirely dialogue free contribution from "Little Brother" when he was very, very, little). In some ways it's a modern comment on some of the seven deadly sins and how they affect us, and though the pace is not always the most consistent, this is a film that emphasises more it's characterisations and there's even an appearance from HRH The Prince of Wales, too! Science fiction no, but then they do say the truth is stranger...