Lau may love to indulge in a bit of alcohol and womanizing, but he's also a serious writer who's respected by his colleagues in the cultural world. However, his work is getting less and less respect from his commercial-minded editor, who forces Lau to write action-filled wuxia serials and erotic stories. After an attempt at a tasteful, cultural magazine fails, Lau succumbs to the commercial reality and writes practically anything to survive. Haunted by his memories of World War II and his professional failures, Lau falls even deeper into his addiction of drink and woman…
A Shanghai, una metrópoli en rápida evolución, una ciudad de intensa actividad portuaria, llegan todo tipo de personas: revolucionarios, capitalistas, políticos, soldados, artistas y mafiosos. También ha visto revoluciones, asesinatos e historias de amor. Después de la victoria de los comunistas chinos en 1949, miles de habitantes de la ciudad marcharon a Hong Kong y Taiwán. Irse significaba el abandono de sus hogares, la separación de sus familiares; pero quedarse significaba sufrir las consecuencias de la Revolución Cultural y otros desastres.
Rene Liu successfully delivers the complex role of Mi, who chooses to remain single rather than risking the slightest chance of being dumped. She loves her friend Nan more than anyone, yet she asks him to be her best friend instead of boyfriend. For ten years, he wishes her a happy birthday no matter how far they are geographically apart or who they are with. However, this year his greeting arrives 42 hours late...
Sam, a fresh graduate from Singapore, works as a journalist in Hong Kong to gain wider exposure in life. He chances upon Jane, an intriguing mainland girl who lives a wayward, depraved life on the streets of Hong Kong. Because of her previous experiences in life, she is highly distrustful of men and spends her days smoking, taking drugs and booze. Sam, from a rich Singapore family, finds his social view broadened as he spends time with Jane in an effort to capture a good feature story. What started out as fascination over her for a cover story develops into a heart-warming love story. The two fall in love but their love is tested under the harsh light of societal comparisons.
After eight years of marriage to Liyan - once rich but now a shadow of his former self following a long, ruinous war - Yuwen does little except grocery and medication shopping. A surprise visit from Liyan's friend Zhang re-energises the household, but also stirs up long-suppressed feelings and resentments.
