Film Review: Cong Jin Yihou (All Shall Be Well)
by Marinell Haegelin

Raymond Yeung, Hong Kong, China 2024

Hong Kong writer-director Raymond Yeung’s film is a chilling harbinger about what can happen by putting off the inevitable. Quietly together like two peas in a pod, Angie (Patra Au) and Pat’s (Maggie Li Lin Lin) lifestyle vibrates with love, friendships, and close family ties. They’ve forged a strong foundation of caring and sharing over thirty years. The women are well-liked, known for their generosity of spirit, and split all costs. Family affairs are often boisterous, with everyone gathering at their larger, spacious flat. In their sixties and retired, theirs is a communal joy, whatever they are doing. Pat, preoccupied with an online business concept she’s painstakingly pulling together, stubbornly neglects and ignores life’s practicalities. Shing Wu (Tai Bo), Pat’s brother, struggles, as he’s aware wife Mei (Hui So Ying) is always stretching to make ends meet. He’s also unable financially to help son Victor (Leung Chung Hang) and Kitty (Rachel Leung) toward securing a decent apartment in swelling Hong Kong. Victor’s a lot closer to his aunties than sister Fanny (Fish Liew).

Pat’s sudden death after a family get-together is inconceivable. They rush to Angie’s side, offering comfort, consolation, help, take-a-way dinners. They then learn of Pat’s oversight. Deeply discomfited by his actions, Shing nevertheless enviously and approvingly casts his eye around the huge flat, now occupied by only one person. Their involvement cools, dips, stings. Even Victor ashamedly realizes he and Kitty’s search could be over. Angie’s advice toward Pat’s burial wishes is disregarded. As time moves forward, the harsh reality sinks in for her. It’s their family of friends that provide support, advice, counter moves, and rally round as the family faces off against Angie, and she finds release in discovering inner strengths.

Yeung’s fourth film concentrates on that nebulous yet universal topic. Structuring his screenplay within the scope of familial relations and a lesbian couple, he handles it with empathy, understanding, and from a broad-minded perspective. The impressive cast is led by Au and Lin Lin’s powerful performances. Productions values are solid; Leung Ming Kai’s camera often puts the Wu family in perspective by pointing up at the towering buildings. ALL SHALL BE WELL’s poignancy is in its inclusive, redemptive healing power.