Alan and Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye

Responsible for some of the biggest romantic dramas in Hong Kong history (Comrades: Almost a Love Story) and cofounder of the legendary production groupUnited Filmmakers Organization (UFO), director Peter Ho-sun Chan began his career with this continent-spanning look at friendship and love, starring pop megastar Alan Tam, the beloved character actor Eric Tsang, and the ever-radiant Maggie Cheung as the woman who (almost) comes between them. Paul Fonoroff appears as their friend Hairy Keung. While it’s Chan’s debut, his trademarks of warmth, camaraderie, and respect between characters are already solidified—as is his old-school blend of comedy, romance, and tears. The film is partly set in San Francisco and provides a refreshing reminder of how the city looked in 1991; an opening flyover scene across the Bay Bridge showcases the structure just over a year after the infamous 1989 earthquake.