A Moment of Romance

A Moment of Romance

Year: 1990

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Benny Chan Muk-Sing

RomanceActionCrime

When a young Triad member flees a jewelry heist, he impulsively takes an upper‑class woman hostage. As they navigate the high‑stakes chase, an unexpected bond forms, turning captor and captive into lovers. Their forbidden romance forces them to confront dangerous fallout and the stark divide between their worlds.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – A Moment of Romance (1990)

Trace every key event in A Moment of Romance (1990) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Wah Dee as getaway driver during jewelry store heist

Wah Dee drives the getaway during a jewelry-store robbery in Hong Kong, and the raid quickly spirals out of control. In the chaos, he ends up taking a young woman named Jo-Jo hostage. The tense escape sets up a dangerous dynamic between Wah Dee, Jo-Jo, and the triads.

During the jewelry-store raid Hong Kong
2

Trumpet demands Jo-Jo's death; Wah Dee resists and saves her

A senior gang member named Trumpet demands Jo-Jo be killed to assert his authority. Wah Dee resists, risking his own safety to protect her, and manages to save her from the immediate danger. This act forges a complicated bond between them.

Immediately after the raid Hong Kong
3

Wah Dee is arrested; Jo-Jo refuses to identify him

Wah Dee is arrested by the police, and Jo-Jo refuses to identify him as the attacker. Her defiance complicates her relationship with Wah Dee and tests the loyalties of both. The incident deepens the emotional tension between them.

After the raid, in custody Hong Kong
4

Wah Dee begins to fall in love as Jo-Jo shows gratitude

While in custody, Wah Dee tries to keep a cool façade, but Jo-Jo's gratitude and affection start to affect him. He begins to fall in love with her, despite the danger surrounding them. Their bond becomes the emotional core that drives later choices.

During detention Hong Kong
5

Wah Dee hides in Macau to protect Jo-Jo; they spend time together

Wah Dee hides at his grandfather's home in Macau to shield Jo-Jo from the triads. The hideout becomes a sanctuary where they spend time together, developing a fragile closeness. Their plans for a future together collide with the gang's violence.

After his arrest Macau
6

Return to Hong Kong; Jo-Jo forced to move to Canada

Returning to Hong Kong, Jo-Jo is forced to move to Canada with her parents, with the threat of prosecuting Wah Dee for abducting her. The looming separation pushes their relationship toward a final, unsatisfying farewell. Wah Dee's devotion is tested by the looming legal and familial pressures.

After returning from Macau Hong Kong
7

Jo-Jo leaves a no-regret love letter for Wah Dee

Jo-Jo promises to meet Wah Dee one last time, leaving a letter in Wah Dee's apartment expressing her no-regret love. She prepares for her departure to Canada, balancing duty with a lingering romance. The letter signals both closure and enduring feelings.

Before departure to Canada Wah Dee's apartment, Hong Kong
8

Trumpet calls a meeting to consolidate power; Seven dies

Trumpet organizes a gang meeting to declare his dominance after the former leader's death. A fight erupts, and Wah Dee's boss, Seven, is killed by Trumpet and his associates. The power struggle plunges the gang into chaos, escalating the violence against Wah Dee.

Evening after the letter Gang HQ, Hong Kong
9

Wah Dee escapes with Rambo but is struck by Trumpet

Wah Dee escapes with help from his friend Rambo, but Trumpet strikes him from behind with a metal gas tank. Wah Dee is left bloodied and shocked, his fate hanging in the balance. The assault directly drives his next desperate move toward Jo-Jo.

Shortly after the gang clash Hong Kong streets
10

Wah Dee goes to Jo-Jo's house; they head to a church wedding

Wah Dee, clearly injured, goes to Jo-Jo's house to pick her up as she contemplates leaving. They drive to a church to organize their own wedding, stealing outfits from a boutique for the ceremony. The moment merges romance with danger as the city closes in.

Evening Jo-Jo's house; church, Hong Kong
11

Wah Dee leaves Jo-Jo at the church; Jo-Jo prays

While Jo-Jo prays in the church, Wah Dee secretly departs, signaling a sudden rift at the moment of their planned wedding. The wedding day takes an unexpected turn as fate intervenes. Jo-Jo remains at the church, searching for him in a state of anxious hope.

During the wedding preparations Church
12

Final pursuit: Wah Dee and Trumpet; Rambo's aid; Wah Dee dies

Wah Dee chases Trumpet and two others out of a sauna, knife drawn, in a final bid to kill his foe. With Rambo's assistance, Trumpet and one ally are killed, but Wah Dee dies on the street from the struggle. Jo-Jo's heartbreak culminates as she races to find him on the highway.

Immediately after the church incident Street near the sauna; Hong Kong
13

Jo-Jo searches the highway in wedding dress

Jo-Jo is seen running along the highway in a wedding dress, searching for Wah Dee. The haunting image underscores the tragedy of their romance and leaves their fate unresolved.

After Wah Dee's death Highway

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:06

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows the rapid and often reckless development of a romance that defies social norms. The lovers are united by a powerful, immediate chemistry but are divided by external forces such as gang rivalries, class divides, or family feuds. The story is a high-stakes race against time, where the joy of connection is constantly shadowed by the threat of discovery and violent consequences.

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These films are grouped by their shared core of a passionate, doomed romance that serves as the main driver of the plot. They deliver a specific emotional mix of soaring romantic highs and crushing, inevitable lows, all wrapped in a fast-paced, high-intensity package that keeps the tension palpable.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative arc follows a criminal protagonist who, through a chance encounter, experiences genuine love that promises a way out. This hope for a better life is the central driving force, but it is tragically undermined by the inescapable nature of their criminal commitments. The story builds towards an inevitable, often violent, climax where loyalty, betrayal, and love clash, resulting in a heavy, sorrowful conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are linked by their core theme of redemption through love within a gritty criminal setting, and their consistently tragic outcomes. They share a high-intensity, fast-paced atmosphere, a bittersweet tone where beauty is poisoned by brutality, and a profound emotional weight that leaves a lasting impact.

Unlock the Full Story of A Moment of Romance

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Moment of Romance in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Moment of Romance is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Moment of Romance Summary

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A Moment of Romance Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Moment of Romance

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape A Moment of Romance. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Moment of Romance

A Moment of Romance Spoiler-Free Summary

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A Moment of Romance Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Moment of Romance

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