Girls without Tomorrow
Reviewed by YTSL
Maybe it was because I didn't have high expectations
for this unheralded movie (which still made more money at the box offices
in Hong Kong in 1992 than "Batman Returns", "Patriot Games" and "Sister
Act" as well as "Centre-Stage", "Gigolo and Whore II" and "The Story of Ricky".
As it was, post-viewing it, I wonder why it is not better known as well as
deservedly acclaimed. After a bit of thinking though, I came out with
not just one but three reasons for this being so: Two of which stem from
the film's having the title it has; while the third is a result of the type
of work engaged in by the movie's heroines.
GIRLS WITHOUT TOMORROW is hardly the most PC
or upbeat of titles for a movie. It thus is somewhat surprising as
well as confusing to learn that there is another Hong Kong effort that shares
this title with this 1992 effort. Like that 1988 production, which is
better known as "Call Girls '88" (and is reviewed elsewhere on this web site),
the five protagonists in this film are all involved or associated in some
way or other with the prostitution trade. Though each of them is not
without her faults, like the rest of us humans, they all exhibit traits that
I dare anyone to say that she or he does not at all possess along with fellow
feeling that we hope that we can and do have.
N.B. Though one would not think it from its publicity shots/poster/video-tape
cover, I cannot emphasize enough that this is a film that pulls no punches
and portrays the working women it chose to focus on largely without glamour
yet with no small modicum of respect. Perhaps the key to its successfully
doing so lies in the main characters being shown to also have other roles
in life (e.g., actual mother and surrogate mother as well as "mamasan", honorary
as well as biological daughter, friend, protector, benefactor, supporter)
besides that of club hostess, call girl or whatever.
This film benefits to no end from having a cast of capable actresses and
actors: Some of whom -- notably Carina Lau, Petrina Fung Bo-Bo and
Vivian Chow -- definitely exude class and star quality; others of whom --
including the man who plays the pimp-turned-boyfriend of the character inhabited
by May Lo/Law (best known as Mrs. Jacky Cheung) -- appear to be unknowns
(at least to this Hong Kong movie viewing as well as reviewing neophyte)
whose work may actually be more believable because they are not recognizable
stars. This production's scriptwriter, director, cinematographer and
editor also deserve praise: Their efforts undoubtedly contributed to making
this complex as well as gritty melodrama (albeit with bits of comedy and
painful sex thrown in; but rather than seem incongruous, as with "Peking
Opera Blues", they have the effect of making the film's dramatic sections
even more emotionally-wrenching than they would have already been) a very
tight and moving picture.
Perhaps people who read this review and then go watch this movie might end
up thinking that I vastly overhyped it. Still, I must admit to finding
it hard to disguise the fact that, IMHO, this is an altogether excellent
production. My suspicion that others might share my feelings about
this film were confirmed after seeing two other people – who vastly differ
in Hong Kong movie viewing experience and age as well as are of different
nationality and gender -- I've shown it to get so "into" it that I caught
them doing such as wiping away tears after viewing its more heart-wrenching
moments as well as beaming with satisfaction over certain heart-warming scenes.
So...if you appreciate good acting, (melo)dramatic stories and three-dimensional
female characters, this just might be the film for you...
My rating for this film: 9.5.
Just as a quick note, I put this film on only to
get a few quick frames for YTSL's review above and got completely sucked
into this melodramatic film. It has many wonderful moments of high drama,
light comedy, sadness and painful torment that will just grab you from the
first scene to the final frame. Some of it is uplifting; some of it is tawdry
and depressing - but all of it is quite emotionally powerful.
Though the film shifts back and forth between
the stories of the five main female characters - all involved somehow in
the skin trade - it manages to make all of them very human and very real
- and all of their stories will resonate with the viewer. All of the performances
are heartfelt and terrific. Even if you think that this may not be your
type of film, I'd recommend taking ninety-minutes and entering into this
strange little world of hostess bars, brothels, pimps, whores, broken lives
and redemption.
My rating for this film: 8.5
