ZHOU YU ( Gong Li), a porcelain painter, is instantly smitten when Chen Ching (Tony Leung Ka Fai) introduces himself by writing her a love poem. She goes by train to see him twice a week and continues visiting his empty house even after he abandons her for a teaching position in Tibet. Enter Zhang Qiang (Sun Honglei), an eager veterinarian who eventually wins her affection in Chen's absence. Before long, she has a dilemma: brooding artist (romance, wild poetry recitations) or steady doctor (bling, crew cut)? There are some rather significant plot issues toward the end, and director Sun Zhou relies too heavily on imagery (which is stunning, nonetheless) rather than story development. But overall, if you can stomach a bit of David Hasselhoff-inspired slo-mo running and a few too many recitations of Chen's poem, Zhou Yu's Train has some interesting twists and turns. All aboard. (Nickie Huang)