Gigolo and Whore II
Reviewed by YTSL
If ever there was any doubt: Yes, this movie
is as Politically Incorrect as its title is to the point. I.e., not
only is its main male character someone who gets paid to sexually satisfy
women but he is specifically assigned in the main story to seduce a lesbian
business rival by a man whose unfashionable clothing initially prompts the
Mamasan (the gigolo's pimp) to mistake and dismiss him as being a homosexual.
On top of it all, we -- the viewers -- are clearly expected to cheer on and
hope for the success of the efforts of Simon Yam's clearly expert gigolo to
turn Rosamund Kwan's surprisingly convincing and sexy as well as swaggering
Tomboy -- or "TB" as the subtitles would have it -- from a "crooked" to a
"straight" woman; even while we get to cluck disapprovingly at the underhanded
way by which Alex Fong's uptight executive (dissatisfied over Kwan's Sherin
Chan taking over a company by way of getting a majority of shares from her
father plus acquiring some of her own) is attempting to gain control of the
multimillion dollar business and sympathize with Veronica Yip's controlling
as well as sizzling Mamasan upon her head ruling over her heart even when
she doesn't want it to...
So, be warned that if you are easily offended, GIGOLO AND WHORE II is most
emphatically NOT for you. Ditto if you are one to actually worry that
the film's whole plot has been revealed in the first paragraph of this review.
On the other hand, if you are able to lie back and just laugh at the ridiculousness
of it all, what can be found in this "only in Hong Kong" production is an
abundance of absolutely good natured fun, some rather memorable sights (including
one of the lengthiest love scenes I have seen in a Hong Kong movie), quite
a few amusing yet "spot on" as well as astoundingly frank pieces of conversation
and lines (notably regarding the different sobriquets and pet names by which
one can refer to the male reproductive organ!) along with a general sense
of cheer and goodwill...All of which makes for a rather entertaining package
-- as well as guilty (but not at all hard core) pleasure a la "Boys are Easy"
and "I'm Your Birthday Cake" -- of a film.
Should anyone wonder, GIGOLO AND WHORE II is not really connected with the
1991 production that starred Carina Lau as the woman whose stated goal was
to become the King (sic.) of Whores! Although Simon Yam did also play
a master charmer of women in that movie, that and this character have about
as much in common as either do -- actually, quite a bit! -- with the spy
instructor role he essayed in "Black Cat". Similarly, poor Alex Fong
seems to be only in the picture once more as the hunky but not sensitive-enough
foil to suave and giving Simon (N.B. While male viewers will undoubtedly
thrill at the sight of an entirely naked Veronica Yip, my sense is that females
will also enjoy this Category III production in large part because of Simon's
performance and his character being the kind of man who unfortunately probably
only exists in dreams and Hong Kong movies!).
Strictly speaking, there really isn't a "whore" in this 1992 affair (Veronica
Yip's character comes closest but it should be pointed out that she is not
the offering's lead female). But "Gigolo and Tomboy" probably would
not sound quite as alluring as GIGOLO AND WHORE II. Also, it
does not really furnish one with a more accurate indication of what this
surprisingly kind- and big-hearted film is about (Ultimately, and sweetly
as well as romantically, that love conquers all...!). Neither does
that latter designation amply describe the rather complex -- or at least
versatile -- character that the too often under-utilized Rosamund Kwan plays
with quite a bit of relish and to perfection here.
In closing, I do wish to emphasize that this is much more of an absurd comedy
than anything else. Though a movie with a title like GIGOLO AND WHORE
II cannot help but generate some heat, my honest sense is that its makers
more frequently aimed for the funny bone than any other part of the body.
This feeling is accentuated by its seeming to combine elements of the kind
of e-mail forwardings about men and women that many people delight in sharing
with their friends and love as much as sex advice columns found in newspapers
and women's (and presumably men's too?) magazines. At this juncture,
I'm not quite sure what it says about me that this offering made me titter
and giggle as well as smile and laugh much more than any Stephen Chow romp
I've viewed to date. What I do know is that I not only found it extremely
agreeable but also valuably able to get me out of the kind of annoying funk
that we can get plunged into against our will from time to time.
My rating for the film: 8.
Reviewed by Brian
Veronica Yip walks out and slowly drops her robe
to the floor – displaying the charms that lay hidden underneath. She then
eases over to the indoor pool/Jacuzzi and slowly submerges herself into the
warm welcoming water. Out of the water appears Simon Yam and he slowly swims
over to her and submerges himself below – Veronica begins to smile hinting
at what is taking place underneath the water. The camera then suddenly pans
over to four young men dressed only in their underpants – each holding a
spoon that has a hard-boiled egg on it. As the action heats up in the pool,
one after another of the eggs falls cracking to the floor until only one
egg remains. A new recruit has been added to the venerable ranks of HK gigolos!
Watching Simon and Veronica was simply an entrance test and I have to admit
my egg would have dropped along with Veronica’s robe!
How can you not love a film that starts like this
and refuses to take itself seriously throughout? It is full of light silly
totally absurd moments that has Simon first taking the young man (whose egg
did not fall) under his wing and imparting all of his gigolo advice to him
and then having to seduce a tough as nails lesbian – Rosamund Kwan. My money
was on Simon. With his charms and his “little bananna” did Rosamund really
have a chance?
For any of you who have hopes of becoming gigolos
in the future – or perhaps are already members of this noble profession, here
are some tips from the master himself. Think of your penis as your “good
brother” because it fights for you, works for you and earns money for you.
So respect it and never damage it. No matter how unattractive the woman that
you have to service – go for it immediately – pretend you have been on a
desert island for three years and have gone without sex – then she will look
beautiful. Remember, man is most comfortable when making love while a woman
is most comfortable after making love. So kiss her, caress her and hold her.
And finally it is important to have as Simon says a penis that is "elastic"!
Words to live and work by.
My rating for this film: 7.5
DVD Information:
Distributor - Universe
This is one of the first Universe DVDs that I
have felt really dissatisfied with. The transfer is very soft, murky at times.
It looks very much like they simply used the LD source.
Letterbox
No Trailer
Previews: First Shot and Gigolo and Whore I
8 Chapters
Subs - burnt on English and Chinese
Star files - Simon Yam