A Simple Life

Inspired by the real-life experience of Hong Kong movie producer Roger Lee, A Simple Life is an understated film about Ah Tao (Deanie Ip)—an aging Chinese servant to multiple generations of an affluent Hong Kong family who continues to look after Roger (Andy Lau), the last of the clan to remain in Hong Kong. When she suffers a stroke, Roger steps up like a son to take care of her, even as she insists on moving into a nursing home. The film has an easy, meandering quality that charts her life in the rest home, where comic scenes (she fends off the advances of an aging lothario) mix with an eye-opening look at the conditions of elder care and the shameful way in which many seniors are simply abandoned by family. Ann Hui directs with a tender affection, nicely capturing the depth of the relationship between Roger and Ah Tao, who Roger looks after like a beloved aunt, squeezing in visits and lunches and even escorting her to glitzy movie premieres. Hong Kong movie fans will recognize cameos by stars and directors lampooning themselves (like Sammo Hung and Tsui Hark) but the show business culture is secondary to the human story here. Co-headliner Ip (a former movie star and real-life godmother to Lau), came out of retirement to make this film, winning numerous awards for her performance. A warm film that deals with the tough subjects of infirmity and illness among the aging, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)