For this reviewer, sitting down to watch a romantic movie is about as enjoyable as getting a root canal. But the new Mainland production, Red River, manages to forgo much of the melodrama and schmaltz usually present in these types of productions. As a result, the end product is much more successful, and able to be enjoyed even by audiences that aren't into "weepies".

The story takes place in a small town bordering China and Vietnam. Dao (Zhang Jingchu) was left mentally unstable after witnessing her father blown up by a landmine during the Vietnam War. She now makes her living cleaning her sister's (Loletta Lee) massage parlor. One day in the parlor, Dao sees Xia (Nick Cheung), who looks like her father. Dao begins following Xia like a lost puppy, and Xia wants to get rid of her, but instead puts her to work in his karaoke stall after finding out she has a talent for singing. The pair soon begin developing a romantic relationship, but matters are made more dire because of a gang boss (Danny Lee) that wants to keep Dao as his own.

Red River is a fine film, but to get into it, you really have to let go of any creepiness you might feel about the story. Maybe I was reading too much into matters, but there was something a bit unsettling to me watching a story dealing with a man who basically uses a mentally handicapped woman who thinks he's her father (going so far as to call him "papa" for much of the picture) to make a few bucks, and then later begins having "real" feelings for her that are based out of pity more than anything else. But now, thinking about it, it's exactly the left-of-center nature of the story that set Red River apart from similar fare. This definitely isn't the usual glorified Lifetime movie of the week by-the-numbers pablum we're typically "treated" to via romantic films from Hong Kong and China.

Yes, folks, you read this review right. I'm actually giving praise to a romantic movie, and not in one of those douchey hipster neo-ironic ways. Red River is simply a good film. While it might not have much for star power, and there's little in the way of action, it's still as exciting and involving as any big-budget affair. Actually, the earnest film-making and genuine performances put Red River far ahead of more hyped fare like Kungfu Cyborg, in this production delivered a movie worth watching and enjoying, not suffering through just to see the occasional competent action scene.

RATING: 7