Meaningful, but rather ordinary...
2 Become 1 can so easily be yet another romantic comedy that Miriam Yeung and Richie Ren are making over and over again, but this flick produced by award winning director Johnny To adds a certain flair of beast cancer - making this somewhat different. While Miriam Yeung can almost bring a laughter or two, the movie is once again too generic along with a simple storyline making this flick all too familiar if not for the issue that it is trying to tackle. There are enough charming moments and carefree fun within the film, but ultimately the feeling is nothing special and absolutely forgettable in Neo's honest opinion.
The issue of breast cancer is ultimately relevant in our society as increasingly the numbers are raising like a rocket shooting into the endless space. It is timely and fittingly that a HK movie expands upon this neglected issue. Cancer is a serious matter and especially when it comes to the woman's body part - beast - the effects on the victim can be immensely damaging in both the emotional and physical state of the long and short term. Miriam Yeung plays that exact victim as she go through a phrase of reluctance to accept the fact and the conflict it created to a workaholic like herself. Perhaps it ties in well with an emerging singer - Justin Lo who ironically is denied by Miriam for a singing opportunity, but is ultimately the one that true inspired her to accept the reality. There are downs in life, but just as Eason Chan's Crazy N the City so clearly implies those memorable lines - the future is for the brave.
Miriam Yeung put in yet another sleep walking performance, where she isn't really require to do much more than her previous roles. She is entertaining nonetheless and a fitting role for Yeung - especially her cheerful and laughing lover image which contradicts the beast cancer victim she is playing. Richie Ren is once again very much himself and nothing more. Two words - adequately done. Justin Lo appears as an inspiration figure which seems to juxtapose his singing career which took almost 10 years in the industry before his talents are finally embraced.
2 Become 1 isn't the most exciting movie around, but really there isn't much flaws and hardly causes a bit of boredom. So why isn't this movie a two thumbs up one? That really beats me, maybe it is because I have seen too much ROM COM or seen Miriam and Richie in the same roles far too often, but ultimately the movie isn't original and truthfully it doesn't break any new grounds. It is likable and the issues discussed are relevant, but ultimately it isn't heartfelt and so making 2 Become 1 a pretty forgettable though fun movie to watch.
I rate it 7.5/10
