This is a lovely film, made in Hong Kong, about a woman who had been a maid in a family for 60 years, her family had traditionally worked for this family. At the point of the film, there is just the made Ah Tao and her 'master' Roger left - the rest of the family have died or moved away. When Ah Tao has a stroke, the tells Roger (a film director) that she wants to move to an old age home. It seems that after decades of looking after people, she wants to be looked after. Roger takes great concern over her, visiting her in hospital, looking for the best home for her and paying for it. To western eyes the home looks pretty basic but Ah Tao is happy there and Roger visits her regularly. It is a pleasure to see the joy they take in each other company. The film is careful to show that Roger has many friends, and a good relationship with his family, so his relationship with Ah Tao is not needy, simply a lovely friendship. Nothing much happens in the film, there is some interesting discussions about food, where to buy it and how to cook it but it is mainly a look at life in Hong Kong and a depiction of a close relationship that goes beyond master/servant, young/old, male/female. Worth watching.
Review of A Simple Life
