The World of Suzie Wong

I enjoyed the movie because I accepted it for what it was -- a love story between two PARTICULAR people. I did NOT see it as an allegory about East meets West, imperialism or feminism. To me it wasn't a documentary about interracial love. Thus, the title ("The World of Suzie Wong") is somewhat misleading. It isn't so much about the the world or Hong Kong, but about two individual people.

The Holden character was unique -- someone pushing 40, conventionally moral, unsure what would become of him professionally and geographically, suffered some bad romances in the past, couldn't afford to "keep" Suzie, and --though attracted to her-- couldn't bear the thought of her having to consort with other clients. Suzie had no other foreseeable job opportunities commensurate with what she could earn from prostitution. She created a fantasy personality/situation in her mind to deflect the grimness of her profession. As mentioned in the film, she was presented as particularly strikingly beautiful; for one thing, she was hailed as the prettiest girl in her hangout. For me they only had to prove things for themselves, not for the sociological things mentioned in the first paragraph.

I generally liked the movie -- quite a few interesting scenes scattered amongst the tedious parts.

Best part for me -- I loved that scene, near the end, with the burning of the paper models for a departed character, cried. At the very end of the scene, Holden asks her to whom he should address the "letter of introduction," which also was to be burned. She replies, "to whom it may concern." Wonderful. Worth staying through the whole movie.