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Cast:
Anthony
Chan
Anita
Mui
Pat
Ha
Kenny
Bee
Lawrence
Cheng
Sandra
Ng
Producer:
Sammo
Hung
Director:
Anthony
Chan
Score:
  
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THE
HAPPY BIGAMIST
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1987 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Once
again, a misleading title may have diswayed a few people
purchasing this entertaining comedy. Anthony Chan is Sun, the
eponymous hero who finds that his current life of bliss with fiancé
Ching (Mui in a uncharacteristically dowdy role) is shattered
when his ex-wife Kong decides to move back after a major
financial set-back. Though Sun is adamant that his ex-wife
should leave, her partial ownership of his flat means that she
has every right to stay with the couple. As Ching sees this
rival enter, she resolves not to allow her any hope of
regaining the love of the husband she previously jilted. While
this rivalry causes obvious vexation to Sun, what becomes even
more devastating is when a young suitor begins to fall for his
ex. Ching and Kong slowly become close friends, pushing their
previous grievances to one side, but the jealous Sun is
determined to split up Kong and her new love interest (Bee).
As
with 'Diary Of A Big
Man', 'The Happy Bigamist' concentrates
on comic farce rather than any great attempt at character
exploration. However, in this modest are it once again shows
how a heavy dose of genial exuberance coupled with a winning
cast can make up for many shortcomings. Director Anthony Chan
allows this to be a piece that is held together by its four
main stars, each one of whom excels in their own unique way.
It is the balance of this quintet that gives 'The Happy
Bigamist' such an energy, yet still creates a few character
nuances that help it retain the interest throughout.
In
the lead role, Anthony Chan is an interesting contradiction.
Though he starts off as a very sympathetic hero beset by an
unenviable situation, the introduction of Kenny Bee's
character adds an interesting side to his persona. As was
mentioned, this isn't intended to be a character-driven piece,
but even these gentle proddings are welcome and make a
potentially tiresome scenario consistently amusing. Anita Mui
- a million miles away from the glamour and beauty expected of
her - shows the acting versatility that provides another
reason why she is sorely missed. Perhaps the stand-out performer
here is the underrated Pat Ha though; she has never garnered
the support that her contemporaries enjoyed, but roles like
this prove that she was a worthwhile presence. Ha takes an
unsympathetic role and turn it into something more palatable.
Though
I've strayed into over-analysis, the fact of the matter is
that this is lightweight comedy that mostly amuses. There's
some well-developed comic moments that certainly raise the odd
smile, while the atmosphere is infectious.
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