A Simple Life

Name: A Simple Life
Genre: Drama
Released: April 12, 2012
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 78

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

China Lion Film Distribution | Release Date: April 12, 2012 | Not Rated

Summary: Since her teenage years, Chung Chun-Tao has worked as an amah – a servant – for the Leung family. Known as Ah Tao, she witnessed every aspect of the family’s life. Now, after 60 years of service, she is looking after Roger, who works in the film industry and is the only member of the family still resident in Hong Kong. One day RogerSince her teenage years, Chung Chun-Tao has worked as an amah – a servant – for the Leung family. Known as Ah Tao, she witnessed every aspect of the family’s life. Now, after 60 years of service, she is looking after Roger, who works in the film industry and is the only member of the family still resident in Hong Kong. One day Roger comes home from work to find that Ah Tao has suffered a stroke. He rushes her to hospital, where she announces that she wants to quit her job and move into anursing home. Roger researches the possibilities and finds her a room in an establishment run by an old friend. Ah Tao moves in and begins acquainting herself with a new ‘family’: the brisk but fundamentally kindly supervisor Ms Choi and a motley crew of elderly residents, including the dapper Uncle Kin, the jealous Auntie Kam, the erudite ‘Headmaster’ and the good-hearted dialysis patient Mui Gu. Giving ever more time and attention to Ah Tao’s needs and pleasures, Roger comes to realise how much she means to him. Roger’s mother visits from California and suggests reclaiming an apartment building the family owns to provide Ah Tao with a final home of her own. But Ah Tao’s health begins to deteriorate rapidly. [China Lion Film Distribution]… Expand

Director: Ann Hui

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 118 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

Aug 8, 2012

The movie has an emotional payoff I failed to anticipate. It expresses hope in human nature. It is one of the year's best films. Read full review

Rachel Saltz

Apr 12, 2012

Ms. Hui, a rare successful female director in the Hong Kong film industry, drew her story from real events, and the movie retains a tonic flavor of the everyday: its drama unfolds simply, without explosive moments but not without emotion. She and her two excellent leads keep the film buoyant. Read full review

Justin Chang

Aug 8, 2012

Suffused with the gentle, unforced humanity viewers have come to expect from Hong Kong helmer Ann Hui, A Simple Life is a tender ode to the elderly, their caregivers and the mutual generosity of spirit that makes their limited time together worthwhile. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Jan 5, 2016

Perturbing truths about old age nestle inside an outwardly sentimental shell — it’s a less cosy or placid prospect than it seems. Read full review

Mark Jenkins

Jan 5, 2016

The movie is often poignant but leavened with humor. Read full review

Sheri Linden

Apr 13, 2012

Though overlong, Hui's valentine never milks the drama for tears, maintaining an unsentimental focus on the central duo's playful chemistry and the loving way Ah Tao's attention to detail is repaid. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Jan 5, 2016

A Simple Life is a tear-jerker, but thoughtful and intelligent, with an anti-sentimental dimension. Read full review

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User Reviews

vBii

Dec 5, 2012

What a great movie! And the performance of Deannie Yip was talked for years. The feelings of warming and touching she made is extremly blow up my mind.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

xahkdlys119

Apr 13, 2012

Extremely touching! This is one of the best Hing Kong movies in years. It is also quite realistic as it reflects the condition of Hong Kong a few decades ago. It is a must-see movie!!!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

mschoa

Apr 24, 2012

I am somewhat prejudiced since I am an Anglophile. I loved the witty dialogue and repartee in the film. I especially enjoyed Kristin Scott Thomas as the manipulative PR person for the Prime Minister. The story is quite improbable but it is sort of escapist, plus, you get to see a lot ofI am somewhat prejudiced since I am an Anglophile. I loved the witty dialogue and repartee in the film. I especially enjoyed Kristin Scott Thomas as the manipulative PR person for the Prime Minister. The story is quite improbable but it is sort of escapist, plus, you get to see a lot of lovely scenery.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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