Review of The Lover

I loved the backdrop for this film. The scenes and the places. For me the story was one of unrequited love. The Chinese gentleman (and he was a gentleman) was totally in love with the girl and as we find out at the end of the film , remained in love with the girl all his life. She appeared to be a self motivated rebellious teenager who thought prostitution was cool. I think she , many years later and wiser , realized what she might have had. This young girl begins to realize that her choices have a cost as she is ostracized by those around her , berated on the one hand by her brother and used by her mother to obtain more money from the Chinaman. Although her family is quite dysfunctional I found it difficult to have any real sympathy for the girl who is portrayed as a bit of a tart with a smart ass attitude and no class to speak of. The opposite in fact of the Chinese gentleman. Quite a feat of acting I would say. Both parts were played well and I thought this quite a thought provoking film in so many ways. A worth while watch.