29 May 2003

WATCH IT!

WATCHING the new local romantic comedy, Chemistry, is akin to sitting in front of a school lab experiment, praying that the results will turn out accurate.

You see, creating a successful TV show is a science in itself.

Complementary elements (script, direction, cast) are blended, but just the exact amount of heat and timing are of utmost importance.

On-screen couples like Tony Leung-Maggie Cheung and Zoe Tay-Li Nanxing have mastered the art of having chemistry ooze from their pores.

Not so with acting newbies Lu Rui En and Howard Cheung.

The abrupt and dull debut episode could have benefited from a full one-hour opener to properly introduce the couple.

Rachel (Rui En) is a cynical radio deejay who rolls her eyes at the concept of love, until she meets CK (Howard), an uptight expat fitness consultant.

By a cliched twist of fate, they switch bodies ala The Hot Chick.

They become joined at the hip, and soon, animosity melts into affection.

Judging from the trailer, the show actually gets a shot of adrenaline when CK (in Rachel’s body) struggles to wear a bra and accidentally walks into a ladies’ loo.

Unfortunately, I don’t see such gender-centric fish-out-of-water gags lasting another 12 episodes.

And I hope Howard won’t overdo his one-note brow-furrowing expression.

On the other hand, Rui En is a natural in front of the camera. She shines while delivering ego-deflating lines like: ‘At least I eat my food! You, on the other hand, can’t even handle a carrot. Call yourself a man.’

Rui En definitely makes the grade, but Chemistry scores a C.

Chemistry is shown over Channel 5 on Thursdays at 9pm.

Source: The New Paper

Categorised in Chemistry, The New Paper.