roger ebert gave the film 4 stars. he wrote, "it expresses hope in human nature. it is one of the year's best films." "hollywood reporter" 's neil young wrote that "film festivals looking for undemanding crowd-pleasers will want to check it out, even at its currently excessive 118-minute running time – much too long for what is indeed a pretty "simple" affair." "variety" 's justin chang commented: "fittingly for a film about the challenges and rewards of looking after the sick and aging, this well-observed, pleasantly meandering dramedy requires a measure of patience, and some judicious trimming would improve its chances for export. but the moving, never tearjerking lead performances by andy lau and deanie ip are strong selling points for hui's following at home and abroad."