The Cabbie is quite uncharacteristic of Taiwanese movies in the sense of it's black humour, which, however, is playful rather than macabre. A perfect example is a "meet the parents" scene, which starts with the usual silent awkwardness. What breaks the ice is a topic of common interest between the girl who is a police officer and the prospective father-in-law, a medical doctor at the hospital emergency ward. I just couldn't suppress a broad smile when I saw them energetically discussing various body parts like eyeballs flying all over the place in an accident that they happened to have both handled. From that point on, I knew it's going to be one happy family.

This is an uncharacteristically briskly paced comedy, witty but not without poignancy. What makes it really a gem is Rie Miyazawa, bewitchingly charming Japanese star who seems to be Taiwan's top favorite. A much better known Taiwanese movie she has starred in is Peony Pavilian (2001) which brought her an award in the Moscow Festival.

Cabbie is well worth watching, particularly for people who have shunned Taiwanese movies because they are usually too slow moving.

imdb:tt0265107