Love Lifting

Love Lifting is a 2012 Hong Kong romantic drama film written and directed by Herman Yau and starring Chapman To and Elanne Kong.

Love Lifting
Film poster
Traditional Chinese	高舉‧愛
Simplified Chinese	高举‧爱
Hanyu Pinyin	Gāo Jǔ‧Ài
Jyutping	Gou1 Geoi2‧Ngoi3
Directed by	Herman Yau
Screenplay by	Herman Yau Yeung Yee-shan Wang Yawen
Produced by	Alvin Lam Zhang Zhao Ng King-hung Ko Hiu-kong Tung Pui-man
Starring	Chapman To Elanne Kong
Cinematography	Joe Chan
Edited by	Azrael Chung
Music by	Mak Chun Hung
Production companies	Universe Entertainment Hong Kong Film Development Fund Le Vision Pictures Shanxi Film Studio Guangzhou Yingming Culture Media Grant Talent Limited Local Production
Distributed by	Universe Films Distribution (Hong Kong, Worldwide) Gala Film Distribution (Hong Kong))
Release date	22 March 2012 (2012-03-22)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	Hong Kong
Language	Cantonese
Box office	US$165,589

Plot

After experiencing failures in a relationship and business, bar owner Shek Yung (Chapman To) moves to the suburbs of Shek O, where he is mistaken by others as a distressed triad leader. While feeling frustrated and lonely, Yung meets his neighbor Lee Lai (Elanne Kong), a former weightlifter who was forced to retire due to diabetes. Later, the two of them marry and have a son. However, Lai cannot let go of her beloved weightlifting career and Yung helps and encourages his wife to repelt^{[check spelling]} back into weight training and fulfil her uncompleted dream. In this way, Yung serves the role as a house husband to support his wife to return to the weightlifting arena.

Cast

• Chapman To as Shek Yung
• Elanne Kong as Lee Lai
• Tien Niu as Pretty Hung
• Jeremy Tsui as Kin
• Feng Haoxu as Shek Lui
• Zhang Songwen as Coach Chan Chiu
• Huang Jianxin as Coach Qiu
• Jun Kung as Brother Ding
• Bob Lam as Furniture mover
• Terence Siufay as Furniture mover
• Vincent Chui as Doctor
• Joe Cheung as Yung's father
• Lee Fung as Yung's mother
• Tam Kon-chung as Condo's security guard

Theme song

• You Give Me Strength (你給我力量)
  • Composer: Alan Cheung
  • Lyricist: Lee Man
  • Singer: Elanne Kong

Reception

Critical

James Mrash of Twitch Film gave the film a negative review and writes "While Love Lifting has plenty of potential, as a sweet natured romance, domestic drama, or competitive sports movie, the script never feels committed to developing its story in any particular direction. A number of subplots are introduced - Yung's financial struggles and money-hungry ex-wife (whom we never see), a rivalry between Li Li's former and current coaches, Li Li's diabetes itself - only to be forgotten about or easily resolved without any drama or difficulty. Instead, the story simply progresses from A to B to C without any sense of urgency, peril, anticipation or excitement."^[1] LoveHKFilm gave the film a relatively positive review and writes "Seemingly outrageous premise is played straight to positive, low-key effect. Director Herman Yau never oversells Love Lifting, making it enjoyable and probably a little too light. A likable if inessential film. Elanne Kong is surprisingly effective in the lead role."^[2]

Box office

The film grossed US$165,589 at the Hong Kong box office.^[3]

Awards and nominations

• 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards
  • Nominated: Best Actress (Elanne Kong)
• 19th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award
  • Won: Film of Merit