Watch An Autumn's Tale

An Autumn's Tale is a romantic drama film directed by Mabel Cheung that was released in 1987. It stars Chow Yun-Fat as Big Dee, a big-hearted taxi driver, and Cherie Chung as Autumn, a young woman from Hong Kong who is studying in New York. The film opens with Autumn arriving in New York and staying with her cousin, who introduces her to Big Dee. He picks her up from the airport and takes her around the city, showing her the sights and helping her settle in. Autumn is initially wary of Big Dee's friendly and flirtatious manner, but he soon wins her over with his kindness and charm.

As Autumn starts her studies, she meets another Chinese student, a reserved and serious young man named Ben (played by Danny Bak-Keung Chan). Despite their initial differences, Autumn and Ben strike up a close friendship, bonding over their shared culture and experiences as Chinese immigrants in America.

As the story progresses, Big Dee and Autumn's friendship deepens into a romantic relationship, while Ben remains on the periphery. The film explores the complexities of love, loyalty, and cultural identity as Autumn struggles to reconcile her feelings for Big Dee with her responsibilities to her family and her own ambitions.

One of the key themes of the film is the contrast between life in New York City and Hong Kong. Autumn is initially dazzled by the city's bright lights and fast pace, but as she adapts to her new life, she begins to feel homesick and disconnected from her roots. Meanwhile, Big Dee's experiences as an immigrant in America have left him disillusioned and somewhat bitter, while he sees Hong Kong as a place where he could have succeeded if he hadn't left.

Overall, An Autumn's Tale is a poignant and heartfelt film that explores the joys and struggles of love and identity in a foreign land. The chemistry between Chow Yun-Fat and Cherie Chung is palpable, with both actors delivering nuanced performances that capture the complexities of their characters' emotions. The film also offers sharp insights into the experiences of Chinese immigrants in America, and the challenges they face as they navigate their new home while holding onto their old traditions and culture.

Despite being more than three decades old, An Autumn's Tale remains a beloved classic of Hong Kong cinema, and a testament to the enduring power of love and friendship in the face of adversity.