Film Name: 芭啦芭啦樱之花 / Para Para Sakura
The song is quite famous now, exuding a strong sense of nostalgia. They say it’s the originator of square dancing, wow. Finished watching it today.
I feel that back then, the romantic plots in Hong Kong films were truly romantic. Love was about daring to dream and act, taking off on a whim—pure and innocent. Even though their initial meeting, second encounter, promise to walk together, trust and betrayal—these clichés frequently seen in idol dramas—felt a bit clumsy at first, I realized: Isn’t this precisely the classic romantic narrative of Hong Kong films from that era? For its time, it wasn’t cliché; it fulfilled the romantic ideals of many young men and women, remaining genuinely girlish and beautiful at its core.
The character setup is quite novel: a colorblind, insecure man whose sole source of color is the female lead—how romantic!
Cast: Cecilia Cheung’s beauty is undeniable! Their first encounter: a fleeting glimpse, a hastily departing silhouette; their second meeting: astonished eyes, a playful smile, the vibrant aura of youth; On the night of confession, amidst the chaotic chaos of jealousy, when she confronts the male lead about his feelings, her face flushed with anger; at the April wedding, dressed in splendor, beneath her dignified elegance, her slightly furrowed brow feigning indifference, her closed eyes unable to hide the deep affection and reluctance… Truly breathtaking. Aaron Kwok’s dance moves are truly iconic, sunny, energetic, and full of vitality. Even his moves to dodge or block opponents are incredibly cool. The camera seemed to focus on his footwork—I wonder if it was meant to show he doesn’t actually know martial arts, but uses dance steps to “overpower” his opponents? After all, the opening dance battle was quite interesting. His moves are impressive enough to win fans. And his character—a clueless fool in the bar, so endearing to young girls, so wooden.
The cinematography deserves praise for these scenes: Shanghai’s neon-lit streets, Suzhou’s teahouses, water bridges, alleys, and shallow wells, plus Tokyo’s shrine wedding, cherry blossoms seen through bus windows, pigeons startled in the square, and the cherry blossom grove with square dancing!
(These scenes left a strong impression when I first saw the music video.)
Overall, a pretty good viewing experience. Though the film is quite old, it still feels young and vibrant.
Please specify：Anime Phone Cases » Para Para Sakura 2001 Film Review: Romantic Cherry Blossoms