Tempting Heart

$$ID=Sylvia Chang$$ graces this heartfelt romantic drama with her characteristic sensitivity and sensual touch. Chang herself takes on the role of director Cheryl - in this film within a film - who writes a semi autobiographical script about a 17-year-old schoolgirl Sheo Rou (played to doe-eyed appeal by $$ID=Gigi Leung$$) in search of her first love. Hers is a tale of frustrated teenage love that is re-ignited in adulthood. $$ID=Takeshi Kaneshiro$$ plays the childhood sweetheart Ho Jun, who initially spurns her advances with a somewhat cool detachment. Instead he appears more interested in her best friend Chen Li ($$ID=Karen Mok$$), a bisexual girl with affections leaning towards both Ho Jun and Sheo Rou at once. Their touching triangular relationship then spans 3 decades, beginning in the 70's through to the 90's.

Ignorant of Chen Li's unspoken feelings for Ho Jun, the unrequited Sheo Rou is unrelenting in her pursuit of him. They end up together, only to separate due to the disapproval of Sheo Rou's parents. These segments set in the 70's are evocative of the golden era of Taiwanese romance movies. The star-crossed lovers meet again unexpectedly in Tokyo, culiminating in a brief affair, with Sheo Rou. Once again, they part ways only to reunite in the 90's. It is only then that Sheo Rou disovers that Ho Jun has been married to Chen Li all along. Chen Li also discovers the infidelity and undying love between her husband and her old best friend, deciding selflessly to retreat to fulfill their yearning.