THE STORY – Angie and Pat have lived perfect love in Hong Kong for over 30 years. Never one without the other, their duo is a pillar for their family and friends. However, with the sudden death of Pat, Angie’s place finds itself strongly called into question.
THE CAST – Patra Au & Maggie Li Lin-lin
THE TEAM – Ray Yeung (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 93 Minutes
Most romance films center on the lovers’ introduction. There’s the first meeting, the fun game of flirtation, seeing who makes the first move, who wants to take the relationship further, etc. There’s an element of fun in watching two characters find their way toward each other and create a life together because conflict and drama will naturally come from this creation. However, writer-director Ray Yeung’s “All Shall Be Well” centers on the opposite end of the spectrum. Here, our couple Angie (Patra Au) and Pat (Maggie Li Lin-lin) have been together for decades. While not married (Hong Kong does not recognize same-sex marriage), the two have a home, friends, family, and, most importantly, a great life together.
The two are the beloved aunts to Pat’s niece and nephew, and they get along well with their family members. Like all long-term couples, they each have respected yet equal roles in the relationship. Pat, the more extroverted one, seeks pleasure in helping others, including providing financial help to her brother Shing (Tai-Bo). This is especially shown when the pair are getting ready to host the Mid-Autumn Festival with their family. At the same time, Angie, the sweet yet quieter one, enjoys being taken care of by Pat. From the outside, Angie and Pat are a solid couple loved by their friends and family, which is true. More so, it seems like Angie and Pat are the most healthy couple when compared to Shing and his wife Mei (Hui So Ying), Pat’s niece, Fanny (Fish Liew Chi Yu), and her husband. Angie and Pat are clearly the matriarchs of the family.
But, when Pat unexpectedly passes away, Angie finds herself in more conflicts than one. First, there is the over-stimulating sensation of grief after the loss of a partner. Pat died suddenly, which put Angie in an even quieter state of shock; it’s a moment in one’s life where one must rely on family to continue with the ordinary everyday tasks but also deal with arrangements. It’s not long before we see that the family dynamics have changed with Pat’s departure. Soon, officials are not asking Angie about funeral arrangements, but Pat’s brother. The problem here is that Pat never wrote a will and, therefore, never claimed Angie as a benefactor. Since they were not legally married, all the inheritance (including Angie and Pat’s apartment) was passed on to Shing. This quickly pushes Angie to be treated like a second-class citizen in her family, forcing her to fight for her right to honor Pat’s wishes.
The success of the film more or less falls on Au, as she portrays Angie with subtle brilliance. The all-consuming grief is apparent in every frame while she’s forced to deal with the impossible as a shell of the person she once was due to Pat’s death. One feels that Angie is overwhelmed by the situation at hand but is also fighting to stand up for herself to people she thought were her family. Watching her react to her brother and sister-in-law’s actions is heartbreaking, as Yu allows us to feel every betrayal along with her. It makes the moments of Angie’s quiet acts of resilience speak volumes. But, she never acts out of character with a loud monologue. Instead, Yeung’s screenplay is gentle yet effective, providing Angie with little moments of powerful statements throughout the film, showcasing the obvious internal homophobia of her family members and forcing the family to reflect. If Pat had been living with a man for the last 40 years, would they be trying to sell the apartment and suggest he move back with his parents? Probably not.
“All Shall Be Well” is an effective look into family dynamics, class (especially class dynamics within the family), and queerness in Hong Kong. Angie’s life falls apart as soon as Pat leaves the world, which is primarily due to the government’s (and Shing’s) inability to see her as someone who deserves to have a say. The screenplay is filled with subtle insults that constantly deny Angie agency in her life. The fact that her so-called family doesn’t stand up for her is painful to watch, which makes the film effective. One can’t help but root for her in pursuit of claiming what has always been hers. It also shows how money and property can change an entire family’s dynamic. While no one is inherently evil, according to the screenplay (but the audience might beg to differ), selfishness and greed can (and will) break relationships. Ultimately, one’s real (and chosen) family and true friends will show up and support you.
