Review: If you ever, I mean ever, come across Director Jingle Ma on the street, run. Good God almighty, drop whatever you're doing and run for dear life! Why? Because Ma will use every dirty trick in the book to make you cry out loud for your mother. And to add insult to injury, he'll strip you of your so-called "manhood." Don't believe me? Watch this movie Fly Me To Polaris.

Heed this warning I got from someone before watching this horrific little movie:

"Get those tissues ready, cause you're in for the long haul my friend. Better yet, substitute those tissues with your Sunday newspaper. That'll help ease your suffering."

At first, I thought he was referring to my diarrheal problems, but I was dead wrong. If you haven't already witnessed the glory and sensation that is Fly Me To Polaris, go do yourself a major favor, buy the darn thing. Your cold heart could use a good cry, especially after watching Versus 5 times straigh.

A cinematographer turned director, Jingle Ma utilizes his expertise of angles and color in such a way that your mind will seemingly float into oblivion. Lighting, still shots, and even saxophones are used in a desperate, yet subtle, attempt at your emotions. The uncanny manifestations Ma has in his array of arsenals is nothing short of brilliant. He is an artist. Fly Me To Polaris is his masterpiece.

Given the obvious nature of my opening, you may already have figured out Fly Me to Polaris is, in every possible way, an intolerable and peerless tear-jerker. Okay, I know you'd think it's a cliched, trite, sappy, monotonous, and overly melodramatic love story between two superstar figures in Hong Kong used as dummies for a cheap marketing ploy. It's not. Well, actually it is. But it works to perfection. The story is simple. Cross the movies Ghost and Heaven Can Wait, add a dash of cinematography, spice it up with some HK flavor and you get a movie so emotionally draining, you'd swear you can't watch another minute of it. Onion, played by Taiwanese actor/singer Richie Ren, is a blind mute patient at a hospital. He's not mentally ill nor is he mentally incapable of conversation with the outside world. His facial gestures, movement, and hearing is all he really needs to communicate. Onion exudes a sense of vigor and compassion towards everything he does and never does he complain or question anyone about why he was placed in such a demeaning predicament. His young nurse/caretaker Autumn, played by beautiful Cecilia Cheung, is in many ways his guardian angel. She talks to him about everything and always apologizes each time she is late for Onion's annual hair grooming. Their relationship gradually blooms beyond the boundaries of dialogue. Unfortunately, the relationship between the two is abruptly short-lived. Onion, during what was probably the most defining moment in his life with Autumn, is killed in a freak car accident after he stumbles on a piece of rock. (I know what you're thinking, stupid rock) Despite his gloomy death, he is given a chance to see the face of his loved one and to roam the Earth once more. Except this time around, as a man whom no one will recognize. . . not even Autumn. So basically, the story follows Onion in his quest to tell Autumn how he truly felt without the use of word or written language. Don't get me wrong, he goes back with all five senses. However, he is forbidden to reveal himself by the angels in Polaris.

The lush settings Jingle Ma created for the film set the tone for the two actors. I was simply blown away by the screen presence both actors displayed. Ren and Cheung's performances were simply magnificent at times. Ren's portrayal of Onion was deliberately understated for good reason. And I'll let you figure it out after you watch the movie. Now, this is the point in my review where I get on my weak ailing knees and hail all glory to the princess of Asian Cinema, Cecilia Cheung. To say Cheung's performance was superb or even phenomenal would be a complete understatement. It's so intriguing to watch her on screen. Every shot taken requires Cheung to be in a state of profound sadness. What sort of maniacal motivation machine did Jingle Ma use on her? You'll eventually end up asking, "God, how in the world does she manage to weep in the most realistic manner?" If you're able to keep your eyes tear-free during one of Ceci's vulnerable sessions, I'll applaud you for the achievement. But may God bless your soul.

Ultimately, what makes this film so poignant and inexplicably forlorn is the use of music in certain aspects of the film. You won't realize it at first, but the music will turn almost hypnotic. Smooth ballads and sweet, melancholy tunes will mesmerize and fill your heart with utterly resounding emotional instability. Cheung's song, "Wishing Upon a Star," plays a significant role in the film. It's almost like Ma wanted to personify this song by giving it life and character throughout several shots during the film. It'll be a struggle for the viewers to resist the impeccable onslought of mood altering music. I'm getting teary-eyed at this very moment.

Once in a great while, only when the constellations in heaven line up perfectly, does a movie like Polaris come along. You don't have to worry about spoilers or giving away too much of this movie. There's no way anyone can spoil this movie, you have to watch it and experience the grandeur or even the awesome performances of Ren and Cheung. The simpleness of the film is captivating. Each subplot is used as a stepping stone to the inevitable last goodbye between the two. I want to again acknowledge the superior work of the director, Jingle Ma. I just wish I could be privileged enough to stand in front of him and say, "That'll do Ma, that'll do."

I have to go ahead and highly recommend this thoroughly engaging, cinematic wonder. The message it conveys to the viewers is so warm and touching: "Tell your partner you love them. Even if you're a little late, love is everlasting." Okay, so that's actually my take of the film, but you get the idea. With a friend, fellow companion, or life-long partner with you, Fly Me To Polaris will be the flight you won't want to miss out on. Trust me, it's a revelation to behold.