HEARTWARMING TALE OF REMEMBRANCE

LAST time we saw Chun Gen (played by Ti Lung), he was a reserved father, but open and loving as a grandfather. The sinseh known as Master Lin had two hour’s worth of screentime bonding with his spoilt granddaughter Sarah (Tan Qin Lin). Their first outing ended happily with the two flying to the United States with the girl’s mother Sophie.

This sequel is set a year later, and although Chun Gen and Sarah are best pals, an unpleasant element threatens their harmonious household.

Chun Gen moves to a comfortable, new apartment in Putrajaya. Sad to say goodbye to his former neighbours, Mr and Mrs Meng (Kelvin Leong and Ling Tang), he is helped by their bouncy son Bao (Jason Tan). They then reunite with Sarah and Sophie (Debbie Goh, replacing Hong Kong actress Jessica Hsuan) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Sarah and Sophie are returning from the US.

An unexpected problem crops up the next morning - Chun Gen thinks his daughter and granddaughter have yet to arrive! Bao and Sarah are shocked and she is worried that grandpa will no longer remember her.

Things only get worse in the evening when the family attends a dinner and Chun Gen can hardly remember the guests. Other incidents happen and a worried Sophie wants to take him for treatment to New York but Chun Gen refuses and insists he’s all right.

Sarah resorts to various “schemes”, with Bao’s help, to make Chun Gen remember, which only work to a certain extent.

Meanwhile, Hao (Shaun Tam) bumps into Chun Gen one evening and the old man recognises him as his daughter’s ex-

Jess Teong Ti Lung, Debbie Goh, Tan Qin Lin, Jason Tan, Shaun Tam, Ling Tang, Kelvin Leong, Lenna Lim

120 minutes

PG 13

boyfriend. Sophie refuses to let Hao in, but Chun Gen insists he join them for dinner.

The superb chemistry between Ti Lung and Qin Lin continues and, this time, grandfather and granddaughter are perfectly at ease with each other.

While the movie is emotional, Sarah and Bao keep us entertained with their ideas to “save” Chun Gen, and as grandpa willingly plays along, viewers will readily root for him. Although Sarah no longer has “bratty” habits, she remains playful and devoted to her grandfather.

Sophie’s interactions with Chun Gen are more developed since she spends more time with him. Hsuan would have made a better Sophie, but local actress Goh fits the role well.

Jason again provides comic relief as Bao. Most of his lines elicit laughs and “brightens up” the sad moments. Leong and Ling, who persistently argue, are also hilarious, but Leong does a star turn breaking down in the midst of a talk with Chun Gen.

The ultimate star is Ti Lung, whose Chun Gen is tailor-made. A legend in wushu films, he is a superb character actor - his expressions are so real that viewers will laugh, cry and cheer for him. Ti Lung is best when Chun Gen breaks down in front of Sophie, thinking that his wife is still alive, and when he gives a beautiful speech at the end.

Tam may have limited screen time, but he carries himself well as Hao.

Kudos to Teong for another job well done. is a worthy sequel, and addresses dementia in a tactful, touching yet entertaining manner. It reminds us that nothing beats a loving family.