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Girls Are Flowers
(1966)
Director: Wong Yiu
Cast: Connie Chan, Lui Kei, Nancy
Sit, Cheung Ching
Publisher: Winson; Format:
VCD, DVD (Region 0)
Century Entertainment; VCD (missing opening scene)
English subtitles: No
Full credits and synopsis from the HKFA online catalog
Girls Are Flowers has often been considered
the defining film of Connie Chan’s career, raising to a sublime level
the “yuk nui” (flawless maiden) image. If being a yuk nui was an art,
then Connie would be its original master, partly due to her unique screen
persona created by this movie. Although she had already made her modern
yuk nui debut in the successful You Do Me Wrong
(1966), it was this film that captured Hong Kong by storm and broke the
box office record for a black-and-white film. It’s not a film without
flaws, but director Wong Yiu’s innovative storytelling and lighthearted
treatment of a heavy subject matter delighted audiences tired of the
old didactic formula.
Connie is Ng Hoi-yin, a girl whose father
took to drinking after the death of her mother. He suddenly dies of
heart failure, leaving her with no one else but a “nai ma” (former nursemaid)
who is now a servant in a wealthy urban household. This is cleverly
told to us via the melody “Streaming Tears,” voiced over by Connie as
we see her making the lonely trip to the big city. Images of tall buildings,
a seedy hotel, and a teahouse match the sentimental lyrics: “to the land
of luxury I go... a life of dangers and cold hearts... I must be more
cautious... hiding my tears... I can only be strong... evil does not
come near pure and faithful hearts.” Through the integration of images
and song, we see the world through Hoi-yin’s eyes, feel her apprehensiveness
about the future, and become completely engaged.
Lui Kei is Chan Ji-ying, the egalitarian
son in this wealthy family who can’t help falling in love with the
kind, gentle, and righteous Hoi-yin. But before that happens, Hoi-yin
must fend off Ji-ying’s overly affectionate father (played by Cheng
Kwun-min) who offers her money to buy better clothes. We see not only
her purity, but also her wit and martial arts skills when she wins over
Ji-ying’s mischievous and spoiled sister Chan Jun-ju (played by Nancy
Sit). Hoi-yin becomes Jun-ju’s tutor, and the resulting song and dance
duet they perform, “The Joys of Reading,” probably taught all of Hong Kong’s
children to behave well. More of Hoi-yin’s attributes are revealed when
she helps the gardener go to the hospital, saves the former tutor from
drowning in the pool, and foils the attempt of Ji-ying’s arrogant girlfriend
to degrade her.
The protagonists’ love is highlighted
by the song “Girls are Flowers,” which is probably the most memorable
of Connie’s entire career besides “Lady Killer.” It tells of a love that
disregards class and status, setting the standard for many future youth/musical
films. Although there is a lot of comic relief and lively song and dance,
a waft of sadness permeates the movie. Ji-ying’s parents naturally oppose
their son’s love for a lowly servant’s kin and want him to marry the
arrogant girlfriend, whose father is even wealthier than they. Hoi-yin’s
self-respect forces her to go out on her own to overcome even more obstacles.
We see her finally breaking down only after Ji-ying mistakenly thinks she
has fallen for his best friend Ming-sung (played by Cheung Ching). Her
disappointment in the world is revealed to us when we see her wandering
aimlessly and rubbing away the hearts previously etched by Ji-ying on a
bamboo branch. In the end, Ji-ying comes to his senses, and miraculously
so do his parents. However, Hoi-yin is not so easily won back. Ji-ying
has to feign death in the hospital before she gives in and we happily see
Hoi-yin rediscover the well-deserved warmth in her world.
The success of this film lies in the
excitement created by the remarkably fresh camera techniques that express
the vitality of youth. Girls Are Flowers also features some
of Connie’s most memorable tunes, a theme that appealed to both the youth
and the grassroots folk of Hong Kong society, and of course—a lovable
“Cinderella meets Orphan Annie” character we can all root for.
Reviewed by Cindy Law |
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Connie and Nancy sing about
the “Joys of Reading.”
Lui Kei falls for the kind and gentle
Connie.
Connie is disappointed by love.
Lui Kei mistakenly judges Connie.
Lui Kei feigns death to win back Connie.
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