Linger (film)

Linger is a 2008 Hong Kong romantic drama film directed by Johnnie To and starring Li Bingbing and Vic Chou.

Plot

Dong was dating Fan, but was infatuated with Yan. Dong suddenly dies in a fatal car accident, and Yan is badly affected. She relies on medication to escape from the reality and her true feelings toward Dong. Three years pass, and Yan takes advice from Dr. Yuen to finally relinquish the medication. She starts seeing Dong repeatedly in her dreams and begins to suspect that her encounter with Dong is real. At the same time, she realizes that she is slowly falling in love with Dong. At last, Yan frees her true self to Dong and he fades away gradually as they both defeat the affliction within their hearts.

Cast

Li Bingbing as Foo Yan-Kai
Vic Chou as Zeng Jing-Dong
Maggie Shiu as Miss Chan
Lam Suet as Yan's Father
Roy Cheung as Dr. Yuen
Wong You-Nam as Hui Luk-Wo
You Yong as Dong's Father

Production

Linger pairs Taiwanese F4 pop star Vic Chou, with Mainland Chinese actress Li Bingbing. The film was shot mostly in Mandarin, to suit the language abilities of the two leads.

Reception

Box office

Linger was released in Hong Kong on 10 January 2008. On opening weekend, it grossed HK$82,209. At the end of its box office run, it made a total gross of $156,915.

Critical reception

Linger was met with mostly negative reviews from critics who felt that the film was targeted for younger female audiences and fans of the two leads. Some blamed Ivy Ho's screenplay for being poorly developed.