Director: Johnnie To
Year: 1988
Rating: 6.0
If you want to explore some of the non-action facets of Chow Yun Fat’s acting career, this might be a place to start. He certainly can’t be accused here of always playing the same character on the screen. Then on the other hand, I have no idea why this movie was made. It is quite a mess with a plot that has little if any purpose or focus. Nevertheless, at times it is quite hilarious.
Chow Yun Fat is one of three brothers – all bachelors – living in the same
house and looking for love. Jackie Cheung and Raymond Wong play their characters
straight, but CFY decides for mysterious reasons to play his character as
fey and outrageous as imaginable. Why? I have no idea. His character is certainly
interested in women, but he just decided to have some fun with his role I
guess. Perhaps, he felt it was the only way to save this film and it does
in fact create some good laughs. He is going out with Do Do Cheng, but doing
his best to seduce the wacky Cherie Chung. I mean this has a great cast. On
top of them, throw in Fennie Yuen, Petrina Fung and Michael Chow.
There are some humorous routines to make up
for the invisible plot. And a recipe. It is a recipe for “Apology Soup”.
Try this sometime. 7 red chilies, 5 green peppers, 2 hot Thai chilies, 3
bags of pepper powder, spicy herbs, 2 gingers and top it off with some curry
powder. Then call 911. The film ends with everyone – yes everyone – performing
in a Peking Opera. A strange little film for Chow Yun Fat to be making
at this point in his career. Somehow I don’t think he will be getting many
roles such as this in Hollywood!
