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Cast:
Tony
Leung Kar Fei
Maggie
Siu
Teresa
Mo
Petrina
Fung Bo Bo
Wong
Wan Si
Chan
Fai Hung
Action:
Tony
Leung Siu Hung
Producer:
Laura
Fau
Director:
Jeff
Lau
Score:
  
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92
LEGENDARY LA ROSE NOIRE
AKA:
The Legendary La Rose Noire
Year:
1992 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
During
a clandestine meeting between two groups of gangsters, two
innocent women happen upon this secretive deal. They also
manage to witness the ensuing murders that take place and are
only to survive the situation after the killer flees the
situation with the police alerted. The friends are aware that
their story has little chance of convincing the authorities of
their innocence and so they leave a note at the scene claiming
it is the work of the 'Black Rose', the fictional heroine of
60s Hong Kong cinema. However, the 'Black Rose' is not an imaginary
figure and her two most capable students decide to kidnap the
two women who have insulted their mistress' name. Also thrown
into this chaotic situation is slick-haired, high pitched
detective Keith Lui (Tony Leung Kar Fei), who secretly nurses
a crush on one of the women, and a gang of criminals keen to
erase the witnesses to the original murder.
There
is little doubt that those unfamiliar with 60s Hong Kong
cinema (like myself) will be at a definite disadvantage in
attempts to appreciate '92 Legendary La Rose Noire'. Jeff
Lau's affectionate parody is strongly reliant on its viewers'
knowledge of the styles it lampoons and most of the potential
belly laughs are absent if this isn't the case. For example,
Tony Leung's voice raises a smile due to its bizarre tone,
verging on a strangled pig; however, it is only when I read
the back of Mei Ah's remastered DVD that I discovered that it
is intended as a mockery of 60s Hong Kong idol Lui Kei's
unusual delivery. Such genre-appreciation may elude many
Western fans and so the main question is as to whether the
film still retains an entertainment value despite its
parochial nature.
While
'92 Legendary La Rose Noire' is difficult to fully appreciate
without an extensive grounding in its inspiration, there are
nevertheless enough moments of enjoyment to increase its wider
appeal. Though there are few chesty laughs on offer, the sheer
vibrancy of the production is definitely effective and ensures
that most of the fun the cast are having is infectious. Tony
Leung, in particular, shines as the over-the-top Keith Lui -
the mixture of campish mannerisms and rigidly slicked hair
creates a character that is a good central figure for the
audience. Though Leung's outrageous acting would usually be
detrimental, here it is essential. Award winner Petrina Fung
is ludicrous - intentionally so - as one of Black Rose's
disciples; again, her performance does get somewhat grating as
the film rolls along, but this may be due to the lack of my
knowledge of its source material.
With
films of this nature, director Jeff Lau has made his name and
its general tone is what is expected of his work. Colourful,
genre-defying and almost out-of-control, '92 Legendary La Rose
Noire' is one of the better examples of Lau's talents. Though
it verges on the 'mai-le-tou' comedy that is an acquired
taste, it just about retains its balance. The comedy is often
well observed and, surprisingly, there are a few moments of
slick action. Choreographer Leung Siu Hung (the THIRD Tony
Leung) retains that unique Hong Kong ability of making
non-martial artists look confident during action scenes, with
the finale standing out as a good example of short, sharp
fighting fury.
The
wisest advice to offer anyone with regards to this films is
that if you don't like preposterous comedy, '92 Legendary La
Rose Noire' may not be a recommended movie to buy. However, if
any viewer has been brought up on the Hong Kong musicals that
Jeff Lau's work alludes to, this will be highly recommended.
Whichever camp you fit into, there's little doubt that Jeff
Lau has rarely been more confident in the director's chair.
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