Westgate Tango

Even though 2011 was a stellar year for Taiwanese cinema (Xiao Shi Da Kan, Hetun, Xing Kong, Make Up), 2012 didn't really deliver. While the potential is still there, a lot of the recent Taiwanese films seem to have traded some of their artistic value for more commercial appeal. Taiwanese cinema changed a lot the past couple of years (from the slow, pondering works of Hsiao-hsien Hou and Ming-liang Tsai to the more modern-Chinese inspired films of today) but not all that change is for the better.

Not to say that Xi Men Ding is a bad film. Wang Wei's first has quite a few stand-out scenes, moments of wonder that betray a deeper love for the medium. But whenever things get serious and I started to fall in love with the film, there's always a cheesy pop song to break the mood or an impatient cut to the next scene. Wei just doesn't allow the film to breath, which just doesn't bode well for the lingering romance that runs at the core of the film.

Visually there is plenty to admire. Superb use of lighting and a magnificent sense of color. The soundtrack is a downer though, so are the actors, who seem like they'd be more at home in a local soap opera. Especially when seeing them perform next to Anthony Wong (who has a couple of scenes) the difference in quality is painfully notable. The romance is fresh and playful and Wei does his best to keep the charm going, but his cast and the pacing just aren't up to the job. Underneath some superficial touches, Xi Men Ding hides a very good film, sadly it never manages to break itself free from its commercial reigns.

I guess this review houses more negativity than the film actually deserves, but it's disappointing to see a perfectly solid gem given a treatment like this. Xi Men Ding is still worth seeing for a nice selection of stand-out moments though.