Starry Is the Night Poster

Starry Is the Night 1988

★ 6.03 votes94 min📅 1988-10-13

In *Starry Is the Night (1988)*, directed by the acclaimed Ann Hui, a poignant romance unfolds between generations and lifetimes.

Director: Ann Hui

Cast

Brigitte Lin
Brigitte Lin
To Caimei
George Lam Tsz-Cheung
George Lam Tsz-Cheung
Dr Y. C. Cheung
David Wu
David Wu
Cheung Tien-on
Maryanna Yip San
Maryanna Yip San
Vivian
Derek Yee
Derek Yee
Poon Chung-lung
Rebecca Pan
Rebecca Pan
Jade Hsu
Jade Hsu
John Woo
John Woo
Father Fan
Calvin Poon Yuen-Leung
Calvin Poon Yuen-Leung
Maria Tung Ling
Maria Tung Ling

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Starry Is the Night (1988) about?

The film follows Cai Mei, a middle-aged social worker who reflects on her past while navigating a new relationship with a much younger man named Tian-Ah. Parallel to this, she recalls a youthful romance with an older professor that shaped her view of love and sacrifice.

Who directed Starry Is the Night?

Starry Is the Night was directed by Ann Hui, a celebrated filmmaker known for her deeply humanistic and emotionally resonant storytelling.

Who stars in Starry Is the Night?

The film stars Brigitte Lin as Cai Mei, George Lam Tsz-Cheung as Tian-Ah, and features David Wu, Maryanna Yip San, and Derek Yee in key supporting roles.

Is Starry Is the Night (1988) worth watching?

While it may lack the spectacle of mainstream romance films, *Starry Is the Night* offers a raw and introspective look at love's complexities. Its quiet strength lies in Ann Hui's direction and Lin's compelling performance, making it a rewarding watch for fans of thoughtful, character-driven cinema.

How long is Starry Is the Night?

Starry Is the Night runs for 94 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About Starry Is the Night (1988) — A Poignant Romance of Memory and Second Chances

In *Starry Is the Night (1988)*, directed by the acclaimed Ann Hui, a poignant romance unfolds between generations and lifetimes. The story centers on Cai Mei, a compassionate 40-year-old social worker who embarks on a tender but complicated relationship with Tian-Ah, a much younger man. As their connection deepens, Mei reflects on her own youthful love affair with an older professor—an affair that still lingers in her memory like a half-remembered dream. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of everyday life, the film explores themes of nostalgia, missed connections, and the passage of time, all wrapped in a quiet emotional power that lingers long after the credits roll.

Ann Hui crafts a delicate, introspective tone that draws viewers into Mei's inner world, where the weight of past choices shapes her present. The chemistry between Brigitte Lin, who delivers a sensitive portrayal of Mei, and George Lam Tsz-Cheung, as the enigmatic Tian-Ah, anchors this heartfelt narrative. With its understated elegance and emotional depth, *Starry Is the Night* is a reflective meditation on love's many forms and the stories we carry with us.