The Chinese title of mainland filmmaker Han Yan‘s “Love Never Ends” is “I Love You!”. Adapted from the 2007 South Korean comic of the same name written by Jiang Cao, this romantic offbeat drama follows two elderly couples coming to terms with their love for each other, their families, and life itself as they slowly approach the final chapter of their lives.
A retired widower, Chang Wei Jie (Ni Dahong), lives alone in Guangzhou and spends his days practicing his whip skills in the park. One day, Li Hui Ru (Kara Wai), a widow who collects and sells recyclable scraps, crosses paths with him and a heated argument follows. Later, Chang visits a retired Cantonese opera performer, Qiu Meiling, to enroll his grandson as a student. Unbeknownst to him, Li is a tenant there, and their surprise meeting leads to further quarrels.
Nonetheless, after clearing up their misunderstandings, mutual affection takes root and soon they become a couple. Meanwhile, Chang befriends another elderly man, Xie Dingshan (Tony Leung Ka-fai), who runs a small waste collection station. Xie lovingly cares for his wife, Zhao Huanxin (Cecilia Yip), who has advanced Alzheimer’s. The four gradually bond and form a close friendship.
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Director Han Yan’s melodrama about cancer, “A Little Red Flower” (2020), was his most successful work at the local box office. Often supported by strong performances that elevate his scripts, “Love Never Ends” is no exception. It begins with humor and charm but gradually shifts into a sentimental and overly dramatic tearjerker, causing some of the emotional impact to lose its sharpness.
Furthermore, for a story with a gentle tone, Han’s restless editing feels somewhat out of place. There are too many abrupt cutaways and weak continuity choices that distract rather than enhance key emotional moments. Although the ending is predictable, there are still some sweet and heartfelt scenes, such as Chang and Li joyfully collecting scraps together or chatting on the phone late at night like teenagers.
While they reflect the joy of love in old age, Xie and Zhao embody its harsher realities. Xie is the devoted husband caring for his ailing partner. One memorable and heartbreaking scene shows the couple having dinner with family members who treat them with coldness and disregard. Xie’s thoughtful gifts to his grandchildren go unappreciated, and his daughter shamelessly asks him for money.
Mainland actor Ni Dahong and Shaw Brothers veteran Kara Wai carry the story effortlessly as the cranky yet endearing main leads. Initially at odds, their characters slowly grow fond of each other. Their chemistry is natural and compelling. Notably, Kara Wai won the Outstanding Actress award at the 20th China Film Huabiao Awards for her performance.
Tony Leung Ka-fai, known for his dynamic energy, dials it down to portray Xie Dingshan as a warm, humble, and deeply caring man. Cecilia Yip plays his Alzheimer-stricken wife in a smaller but poignant role. Almost unrecognizable, she delivers a restrained yet powerful performance despite having minimal dialogue.
In addition to its colorful characters, “Love Never Ends” captures both the warmth and the loneliness of aging, telling a heartfelt story that resonates long after the credits roll.
