Synopsis
A story spanning sixty years, about a person facing three life choices and three different destinies. Each decision is a fork in the road, ultimately converging into an irreversible fate.
Overview
"Three Lives" is a Hong Kong drama jointly produced by MakerVille and Milkyway Image, with a Douban rating of 8.2. This marks Milkyway Image's first foray into television series. It is produced by Johnnie To, Yau Nai-hoi, and Chu Suk-yee, directed by Wong Wai-kit, Cheung Ka-kit, and Lee Tsz-chun, with the screenplay written by Ho Ching-yee, Ho Chung-kan, and Wong Po-yin.
The series tells a life story spanning sixty years, centered on the core proposition of "what if different choices were made." It divides the protagonist's life into three parallel trajectories. The three lines are narrated concurrently, showcasing the different fates brought by different choices, embodying the distinctive style of Milkyway Image.
Plot
The story begins with the protagonist's birth, where every decision is a fork in the road. Three life lines unfold simultaneously: in one line, he becomes a comic artist, chasing his dreams but losing loved ones; in another, he pursues architecture, achieving career success but facing emotional setbacks; in the third, he chooses painting, struggling between art and reality. Each life trajectory is interwoven with significant events from different historical periods in Hong Kong, using specific points to illustrate broader societal changes.
The series employs a bold approach of separate directors for each storyline and parallel editing. The three storylines are directed by different directors and ultimately interwoven into a complete narrative. This storytelling method is extremely rare in Hong Kong dramas, fully showcasing Milkyway Image's consistent innovative spirit.
Cast
| Role | Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Protagonist (Comic Artist Line) | So Ka-lok | Fate chasing the dream of comics |
| Protagonist (Architect Line) | Chan Kwok-pong | Career success but emotional hardship |
| Key Role | Ng Wing-sze | Female character spanning all three fate lines |
| Key Role | Lam Hoi-ling | Key figure intertwined with the protagonist's fate |
Production Background
"Three Lives" is the first television series produced by Milkyway Image since its establishment in 1996. Johnnie To and Yau Nai-hoi brought film-level narrative techniques to the series, adopting a three-line parallel structure, with each line overseen by a different director. Producer Chu Suk-yee stated that this collaboration was the spark created by the collision between MakerVille and Milkyway Image.
Set against the backdrop of different eras in Hong Kong, the series reflects profound contemplation on fate through the protagonist's three life choices. Every seemingly minor decision can trigger a butterfly effect, altering the course of a lifetime.
Narrative Style
"Three Lives" continues Milkyway Image's signature film noir style and themes of fatalism. The cross-cutting of the three fate lines requires exceptional narrative skill, as viewers must switch perspectives between different timelines to eventually piece together the complete picture of destiny.
The series offers a nuanced portrayal of life across various social strata in Hong Kong, from ordinary citizens to the elite. Each person makes their own choices within the torrent of fate. This exploration of "destiny and fortune" remains a core theme consistent with Milkyway's works.
Reception and Response
After its broadcast, the series received widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike, with its Douban rating holding steady at 8.2. Audiences generally praised its bold multi-line narrative structure and Milkyway Image's signature fatalistic style. Some critics believe that "Three Lives" has injected new vitality into Hong Kong dramas and is one of the most innovative Chinese-language series in recent years.
References
- Douban: https://m.douban.com/movie/subject/35634021/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/三命/64982052
- Zhihu Film Review: https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/1959946770042826855
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