Making its North American debut at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival is “Office”, a musical adaptation of the 2008 play, Design for Living, with the film being directed by Johnnie To from Hong Kong. This adaptation stars Chow Yun-fat, Sylvia Chang (who created and starred in the 2008 play), Eason Chan and Tang Wei.
The film is set in 2008 when CEO Winnie Chang (Sylvia Chang) decides to make Jones & Sunn, a billion-dollar company, go public. CEO Chang’s former mentor and current two-decade long lover, Chairman Ho Chung-ping (Chow Yun-fat) has promised to give his shares of the company to her. During the company’s transition, things are proven to be more difficult once the company’s accounts are sent to be audit, revealing more hidden business dealings within. Just when things couldn’t get worse, Lee Xiang (Wang Ziyi) joins the company as the young optimistic idealist who manages to complicate things even further for the veteran business associates. He is joined by new intern Kat Ho (Lang Yueting) who appears to have a hidden agenda of her own.
In regards to CEO Chang and Chairman Ho, the film explores both of their personal and their business relationships with each other as the company transitions into its public standing. When business secrets are revealed in the company audit, Chairman Ho is forced to make a decision that could alter his relationship with CEO Chang.
The film also features two other employees of the company; David Wong (Eason Chan) and Sophie (Tang Wei). David Wong is CEO Chang’s top advisor while Sophie is an unhappily engaged accountant at the company. With the company undergoing an audit, David is forced to take action to cover up his dealings behind CEO Chang’s back. He enlists the help of Sophie and eventually he starts a relationship with her. As more secrets are revealed, the couple finds themselves spiralling out of control as they deal with the ramifications of their actions.
Despite the company’s decision to go public, they welcome newcomers Lee Xiang (Wang Ziyi) and Kat Ho (Lang Yueting). As they navigate and survive in the business world, Lee and Kat forge a friendship between them that is tested during the company’s transitional period. Things soon become complicated for these interns when Lee stumbles upon some damaging information on CEO Chang while Kat struggles to learn the business without anyone uncovering her secret. What is surprising about Lee and Kat is just where they end up once the company’s audit is over. Can these interns survive this complicated transition?
In the last fifteen years, Johnnie To has brought fourteen films (including “Office”) to the Toronto International Film Festival. He’s had two films each featured in the Midnight Madness, Vanguard, and the Contemporary World Cinema programming with the remaining eight making their North American debut in the Special Presentations programming. Films like “Exiled” (2006), “Mad Detective” (2007), “Vengeance” (2009), “Life Without Principle” (2011), “Blind Detective” (2013) and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart 2” (2014) have been featured in the Special Presentations programming but “Office” (2015) is the first musical of Johnnie To’s creation. Even though “Office” is To’s first musical, he was able to reunite with leads Chow Yun-fat and Sylvia Chang for the project (the trio first worked together back in 1989 on “All About Ah-Long”).
Despite all the corporate betrayals and secret power plays inside the office, Johnnie To’s musical masterpiece is flawlessly performed by his ensemble cast. The execution of the musical performances (composed by Lo Dayu) are uniquely done and very welcomed. Characters would burst into their musical numbers while continuing on with the scene (there is no random dance numbers that interrupt the flow of the story). The musical performances are done in a way that make a mundane routine (ie: morning roll call, meetings, training) into something more entertaining to watch.
The production design for the film was very elaborate yet beautifully done by production designer William Chang. The choice of an open concept theme (ie: office space, bars) reinforces the idea of the employees being a tight-knit group as they not only work closely together but they hang out together as well. The repetitive designs within the space as well as with the people continue to enforce the unity theme that is presented throughout the company.
Whether you’re a fan of Johnnie To’s work or a newcomer to his creations, “Office” is one cinematic experience that you don’t want to miss.
Original Title: Hua li shang ban zu
Director: Johnnie To
Writer/Screenplay: Sylvia Chang
Country of Origin: China
Language: Mandarin | Cantonese | English
Length: 119 minutes
Original Release: September 2, 2015
IMDb | Official Website | 2015 Trailer
Publication Note:
This was published in Volume 12, Issue 2 of AsianWave Magazine.
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