The Lover (1992) - More Sizzle Than Bang... But Still?

Alright, fellow action junkies, I know what you're thinking: MikeCinema reviewing a romance flick? What gives?! Look, I'm branching out, okay? Plus, a buddy was raving about this movie The Lover (1992), set in 1920s Saigon. Said it was visually stunning and super steamy. Now, I'm not gonna lie, the steam part piqued my interest, but I went in expecting zero explosions and at least one boring montage. So, the plot is basically this: young French girl gets involved with a rich Chinese dude. High drama, forbidden love, all that jazz. Honestly, plot-wise, it's pretty straightforward. No car chases or rooftop fights, sadly. But damn, the cinematography is something else. It's all hazy and dreamlike, and the Saigon setting is gorgeous. The two leads, Jane March and Tony Leung Ka-fai (who, let's be honest, is ridiculously charismatic), have some serious chemistry. It's definitely hot, if you catch my drift, but it's also kinda...sad? Here's my question: Did anyone else find the whole thing kinda depressing? Like, yeah, it's visually beautiful and all, but the power dynamic is SUPER messed up, and you kinda feel bad for both of them in the end. Also, I was hoping it would be more about Saigon itself. The city is just a backdrop, really. Was I expecting too much or is this movie overrated? What do all of you think?