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Rouge (film) Wikipedia

Rouge (胭脂扣) is a 1987 Hong Kong movie, directed by Stanley Kwan.

spoiler

12th Young Master Chan Chen-Pang, played by Leslie Cheung, was a playboy who frequented the opium dens prevalent in the 1930s, where he met the high-class and much sought-after courtesan, Fleur (Anita Mui).

They began a passionate love affair, something clearly frowned upon by the family of 12th Master who held sway over the business of the area and clearly their love was doomed when it was found out. The couple resolved to meet in the afterlife and covenanted to swallow poisoned opium, assuring each other that they would meet each other after 50 years. After 50 years has elapsed, Fleur, a spirit now, found herself alone in the rendezvous place and did not recognise the Hong Kong she once knew. She sought to place an advertisement seeking Chan and enlists the assistance of Yuen (Alex Man) and his often jealous girlfriend Chor (Emily Chu).

Fleur did find her lover in the end, but she was surprised, dismayed and felt cheated, as Chen-Pang did not die. How he survived the suicide attempt was not explained but Fleur seemed to have understood that he had not been entirely honest on his part. Not surprisingly, due to his wayward and flirtatious nature, he was reduced to poverty where he lived to be an old and forgotten man well into his late 70s making a living as a Chinese opera stand-in and living in the cramped quarters of the opera set itself. Recognising Fleur instantly, he begged her for her forgiveness but his pleas fell to deaf ears. As she drifted effortlessly away, Fleur realised that he had indeed suffered much more than she had, as his guilty conscience has haunted him for so many years. Retribution has been paid in kind and she was content to leave as the living world is not her home.

Last Modified:   2005-11-07