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Cast:
Simon
Yam
Danny
Lee
Kent
Cheng
Producer:
Danny
Lee
Director:
Danny
Lee
Billy
Tang
Score:
 
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DR.
LAMB
AKA:
Doctor Lamb
Year:
1992 Reviewer: Phil
Mills
When
a set of sexually explicit photographs turn up at a processing
lab, the authorities are called in to investigate. By
the looks of the girl's lifeless postures and pupil dilation,
the police conclude that it could be a dead body so they
decide to intercept the owner when he picks them up. Lam
Gou Yee (Yam) is the man who enters the shop requesting the
photos and despite claims he is collecting them for someone
else, the police take him into custody. After constant
questioning, Lam is finally broken but nothing could have
prepared the police for the horrific stories they are about to
hear.
As
the final credits rolled on 'Dr. Lamb', I couldn't help
feeling somewhat unfulfilled by the film I had just witnessed.
After all, numerous reviews and fans have always pointed to
this film as a cornerstone of the genre but for me, it emerges
as nothing more than a hollow outing with scenes of extremely
uncomfortable violence. Despite the films fresh approach
which opts not to follow the typified cat and mouse game that
most serial killer movies do, the lack of a significant
purpose to the story seems to be the major fault as it leaves
the viewer in a constant state of anticipation. With Yam
imprisoned from the very beginning, all that it really boils
to is a case of the killer recalling the details of his crimes
(in extremely gorey detail) accompanied by glimpses of his
wafer-thin back-story that are meant to justify his descent
into insanity. Neither of these elements are
particularly engaging and as the film ended, it felt more like
I had watched a selection of cringe worthy police crime
re-enactments which is not the formula for an entertaining
cinematic outing.
Artistically,
there are still a couple of pluses that emerge from this
disappointing affair. Yam is on form (as usual) and in
his element as the sadistic killer, with howling screams and a
hazy stare that send shivers down your spine. He is
totally believable in the role and hams it up to the extreme,
every bit as compelling and chilling as Anthony Hopkins'
performance in 'Silence Of The Lambs'. Danny Lee and
Billy Tang also combine effectively in the director's chair,
maintaining the necessary suspense whilst Yam is on the hunt
for victims and utilising effective camera shots during the
murders that display the action from all angles (although not
necessarily a good thing). The musical score provides
another bonus as it's such a crucial element for a film of this
style and 'Dr. Lamb' puts out a particularly memorable one.
In retrospect, when you look at all these advantages it's a
real shame that the story is not nearly as compelling as the
obvious efforts from the cast and crew.
'Dr.
Lamb' is a very tough film to recommend for any reason as
despite the obvious merits in the acting and direction, the
film can be stripped down to little more than a set of
extremely unpleasant murders. I'm sure gore fans will
find it entertaining if its just the sight of blood that
they seek but for the rest of us, this is one film that is
best left lurking in the shadows.
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