Directed by: Ray Yeung
Written by: Ray Yeung
Run Time: 1 hours 33 minutes
It’s absurd how much is expected of a family in the wake of losing a loved one. The pace at which you are expected to make so many important decisions that you’ve likely never even considered before is completely overwhelming. The days begin to blend together in such disorientating fashion as you take on this new unfamiliar existence. And it’s in this painful period after a loved one’s passing which writer-director Ray Yeung sets his latest film, All Shall Be Well.
Yeung’s film follows Angie (Patra Au) and Pat (Maggie Li Lin Lin), an older couple who have lived together for over thirty years. They have a good circle of friends and enjoy entertaining their family; the opening scenes see the couple hosting them for a Mid-Autumn meal in their comfortable Hong Kong apartment. However, when Pat suddenly dies shortly after – and before writing a will – disagreements start to occur over the plans for her funeral and the division of her estate.
Given its premise you could be forgiven for thinking that All Shall Be Well would mostly focus on Angie’s grief. Of course it does touch on this; once cherished trips to the flower shop are now too hard for her to face alone. But the majority of Yeung’s film actually – and perhaps, more interestingly – explores the effect that Pat’s death has on the relationships between her side of the family and the now-widowed Angie. Who, until now, had always considered herself just as much a part of the family as Pat.
In its depiction of loss All Shall Be Well also offers a compelling insight into eastern funeral practices. Pat’s family consult a fortune teller to help pick an auspicious date for her burial and for the selection of her niche. Soon the conflict between tradition/superstition and more modern, personal beliefs arises. However, Yeung also uses his premise to shrewdly illustrate how Pat and Angie’s relationship isn’t recognised in the same way that a heterosexual relationship would be, intentionally showing how Angie is repeatedly and unfairly punished and penalised for this.
This is felt most distinctly when the issue of ownership of the couple’s apartment arises. It’s in these moments that Yeung ponders just what family means, or alternatively how little it can mean – especially in the face of material gain. Yeung isn’t unkind in his presentation of these familial tensions though, showing the hardships that Pat’s family endure, particularly when it comes to issues of housing. In highlighting these he somewhat explains their motivations whilst still being careful not to be completely forgiving.
Patra Au does a wonderful job in the lead role. She expertly conveys the sheer dismay that Angie experiences as Pat’s family begin to turn on her and go against her late partner’s express wishes. Au’s often heartbreaking performance contains the multitude of layers necessary to encompass all of Angie’s grief, anger and determination to make sure that Pat is honoured in the way that she wanted. Pat’s brother Shing (Tai Bo) and his wife Mei (Hui So Ying) are the main opposition to this. With both of them exhibiting a sudden emotional detachment towards Angie, allowing them to put their interests before hers.
Yet it’s the relationship between Angie and their son – her nephew – Victor (Leung Chung Hang) that, amongst all the unexpected fallout, restores a little faith in the idea of family. He at least engages with the moral compass that his mother and father seem incapable of even locating. Leung Chung Hang’s wholesome chemistry with Au gives both Angie and the audience at little bit of hope that common decency might just prevail.
Yet, the inevitable conclusion reminds us that family can ultimately mean as little or as much as we want it to, but it has to be a two-way street. One that requires mutual effort, respect and love – which, sadly, isn’t always the case. But rather than leave audiences with this rather melancholic musing, Yeung refocuses his central idea that finding those who we can consider true family and taking solace in them is far more important. If we can work that out then perchance, in the end, all really shall be well.
Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
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