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THE
KID
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1999 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Wing
(Cheung) is a successful commodities trader who enjoys the
high life. The money continues to roll in and his impending
marriage to the managing director's daughter means that things
will only get better. This suddenly changes when a stock
market crash wipes out most of his money and all of his
influence. While contemplating his lot in life and what
direction he can take, Wing finds an abandoned baby with a
note from his distraught mother. The note asks whoever finds
the child to look after him show the baby boy the life it
deserves. Although his circumstances have taken a sudden
downward turn, the former money man decides to take on the
responsibility. As the years roll by the foster father and son
grow ever closer even though their life is now balanced on the
poverty line. A set of occurrences means that young Ming
unknowingly comes into contact with his real mother who is now
the prominent worker for a children's charity. The
relationship between Wing, Ming and the real parent come into
sharp focus when questions about proper childcare are brought
up. Now Wing, the once reluctant parent, must decide between
his love for Ming and what's best for all concerned.
Literature
and film have both seen a plethora of variations on the theme
of an abandoned baby being looked after by a reluctant
stranger. In this regard 'The Kid' is hardly original and has
few surprises that change this fact. The inherent weakness of
the film is indeed the prosaic and predictable nature of the
story; many viewers will find it easy to telegraph the plot
twists that do occur. However the aforementioned criticisms do
not mean that 'The Kid' isn't moving as the power of the
age-old narrative shines through the production. This is
undoubtedly aided by a powerful performance from Leslie Cheung
and the superb support of his young co-star. The chemistry
between the two is a major highlight of this Jacob Cheung
drama. Aside from the main plot there is also the very
effective story of growing love between two lonely people.
Excellent in these two roles are award winners Ti Lung and
Carrie Ng who are constantly sympathetic throughout. Ti Lung
has the ability to convey emotion with dramatic acting while
other times - such as here - favouring a subtle approach. The
real shock of the film is seeing the often glamorous Carrie Ng
playing an ordinary yet compelling character; her acting
skills are another reason to watch this.
'The
Kid' offers very little that's new or different. Nonetheless
it commands the attention with some earnest acting and
straight-forward directing.
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