"Lost in Time" ("Mong bat liu") is a somewhat different movie compared to many other movies to make it out of Hong Kong, as it is not your average movie with sugar-coated romance or jaw-dropping action. Instead, you have a very heartfelt and passionate story that is told quite well. But even more so, it is really well acted and portrayed by the people hired for the various roles.
The story in "Lost in Time" is about Siu Wai (played by Cecilia Cheung) whose life is abruptly turned upside down as a tragic accident befalls her fiancée Ah Man (played by Louis Koo). Taking on the responsibilities of her fiancée's job, Siu Wai finds herself working hard to manage the work of a mini-bus driver on the busy streets of Hong Kong. But managing work, the responsibility of raising her step-son and her budding romance with colleague Uncle Seven (played by Wai-Man Chan) is quite a challenge.
Now, what works so well in "Lost in Time" is the storyline and the plot, because it is the type of story that you get drawn into, especially because it is a personal story and you immediately build up relationships to the characters in the movie. And hats off to Cecilia Cheung, as usual, but also Wai-Man Chan for their portrayal of the characters in the movie. They really carried the movie well, and it just wouldn't have been the same without them.
Having lived and worked in Hong Kong for four years, and not being a stranger to riding these mini-buses, this movie took on a deeper interest and appeal for me. But still, even for someone not familiar with this, "Lost in Time" will prove to be a good movie that will sink into your heart and stay with you.
For fans of Asian cinema and those of Hong Kong cinema, "Lost in Time" is a movie well worth watching. Especially if you need a change of pace from the usual action-packed movies and sappy romantic comedies that usually are seen coming from the Hong Kong cinema scene.