Esprit D'amour, also known as "Love in a Fallen City", is a 1984 Hong Kong romantic drama film directed by Ann Hui. The movie is based on a novella of the same name by Eileen Chang. The story takes place in Hong Kong in the 1940s and revolves around the tragic death of a young woman named Fan Liu-Yuan.
Koo Chi Ming, portrayed by Tony Leung, is a young and ambitious insurance investigator who is sent to investigate the death of Fan Liu-Yuan. She was a beautiful young woman who worked as a nightclub singer and had a troubled past.
When Koo arrives at the scene of the accident, he meets Fan's family and friends, including her fiancé, a wealthy businessman named Wu. Koo becomes increasingly obsessed with Fan's death and begins to question those closest to her. He has a sense that something is not quite right about the case, and as he delves deeper, he discovers a web of secrets and lies.
The movie also explores the relationship between Koo and Fan. Koo had met Fan before the accident, and they had shared a brief but intense intimate moment. Koo begins to realize that he is deeply in love with Fan, and this realization becomes a driving force in his investigation.
Esprit D'amour is a beautifully shot and emotionally impactful film. The performances are excellent, particularly those of Tony Leung and Cora Miao, who plays Fan's best friend, Li. The film is a poignant reflection on love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.