Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons (THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, REVERSAL OF FORTUNE) stars as John, a British journalist living in Honk Kong. John has fallen in love with Vivian (Gong Li), a bartender with a jaded past. Vivian is eager to secure her position in Hong Kong society and wants her successful boyfriend Chang to marry her. When Chang proves to be indecisive about their relationship, Vivian turns to John. Giving into their feelings for a brief but passionate affair, they now face inevitable change and unexpected obstacles.