
This is the story of three ladies who live together in an apartment in Hong Kong and what happens to them. First, there is Shuxian, whose husband left her and has a son in the hospital who can't walk. Then, there is Meifen, a romance novelist who pines for a deceased lover and, finally Manli, a young lady with some sass who is expecting a visit from Mr. Zheng, a man she has been a pen pal with for a year. She also has been dating someone else, not happily. The film goes through all three lives.
Directed by Tang Huang, Between Tears and Laughter leans on a strong ensemble — Helen Li Mei, Kitty Ting Hao, Roy Chiao — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1960.
Read More on the Blog
Loading reviews…
Four siblings' lives change drastically when their ailing mother takes a turn for the worse over the holiday season.
Get weekly picks and blog posts in your inbox.
Live availability isn't tracked for this title yet — try these popular platforms:

The Michael Jackson biopic arrives on JioHotstar on August 29, 2026. Here is where to watch it, what you need, and why it is one of the year’s biggest music films.

The average person spends more time scrolling than watching. Here's a 5-minute method to pick tonight's movie or show by mood, not by endless browsing.