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Cast:
Shu
Qi
Andy
On
Simon
Yam
Isabel
Chan
Lam
Suet
Ruby
Wong
Raymond
Wong
Chapman
To
David
Wu
Producer:
Johnnie
To
Charles
Heung
Director:
Ringo
Lam
Score:
 
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LOOKING
FOR MISTER PERFECT
AKA:
Looking For Mr. Perfect
Year:
2003 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
2003
has seen the release of this unusual and slightly off-kilter
romantic/action/comedy directed by RINGO LAM. Yes, the capital
letters are no accident - they're there to emphasise the fact
that Ringo Lam is behind the lens for this very lightweight
production. Having been responsible for some of Hong Kong's
grittiest and darkest thrillers, it seems quite incredible
that he could be responsible for a film that is the complete
antithesis to his usual work. Therefore even before reading
this review, many long-time Ringo Lam fans will have decided to
avoid 'Looking For Mister Perfect'. The more objective may want
to read on.
Grace
(Qi) is a top Hong Kong policewoman who, as the film opens, is
taking part in a stakeout of local villain Snake Eyes. After
the operation goes awry and Snake Eyes is killed in a
gunfight, Grace decides to take a break from the pressures of
her work and accompanies her model friend on a photo shoot to
Malaysia. Soon after arriving, Grace sees a man who looks
exactly like the figure that appears in her dreams and is, in
her mind, literally the 'man of her dreams'. Also in the
resort is a colourful assortment of characters who keep
crossing Grace's path including the oily agent who hired her
best friend (Lam Suet) and a tricky thief (Chapman To) who
knows Grace from her time in Hong Kong. Unknown to her though
is the fact that the stranger she slowly finds herself drawn
to is spying on her as he suspects her of being involved in a
black market deal that is due to be completed on the resort.
Heavily involved in the trade is the lecherous agent who's
involved in the fashion shoot and an outlandish arms dealer
(Simon Yam) who is loyally supported by his equally bizarre
girlfriend (Ruby Wong). Although having nothing to do with
this, Grace finds herself inadvertently involved in it and
begins to discover that the object of her affection also has
an interest in the sale. Added to the already complicated
blend is two of Grace's admirers from Hong Kong who have
travelled over to Malaysia to win her hand in marriage and the
kidnap of her friend by the dealers. Grace now teams up with
the other strange figures that have populated her adventure in
order to rescue her friend.
'Looking
For Mister Perfect' seems to be a mixture some of the elements
from 'Tokyo
Raiders' - i.e. the bright and breezy nature of the film
and general exuberance of the whole production - and the
exotic surrealism of Dante Lam's 'Runaway'.
Unfortunately though, this film is more akin to the latter
rather than the former. While 'Tokyo Raiders' managed to just
steer clear of parody and create a genuine sense of
excitement, here the storyline gets quickly lost in a number
of distracting diversions. The plot has some potential, but is
so under-developed that it becomes increasingly hard to follow
with any enthusiasm and gets lost in some very surreal moments
(the laughing flowers?) It's also clear that Lam is very
uncomfortable with the material and, by the hour mark, lets
matters get out of hand - though it doesn't help matters that
the annoying Chapman To is given so much screen time. On the
upside, Shu Qi is a charming and very magnetic lead while
Simon Yam steals most of the scenes he's in with his
outrageous pink suits, snake skin boots and freakish
posturing. Also noteworthy is the appearance of a few brief,
but welcome action scenes that are free from the mind-numbing
CGI-enhancement that has all but killed the genuine fight
action that Hong Kong was so famous for. Andy On may not be
the most charismatic lead, but this area finds him in his
element.
The
idea that Ringo Lam is behind this is quite a difficult one to
grasp; he's obviously tackled action/comedies before with 'Aces
Go Places 4', but even then he gave the film a slightly
darker edge. 'Looking For Mister Perfect' is the kind of light
and fluffy film that one would associate with Wong Jing or Joe
Ma and not the man responsible for savage hits like 'City On
Fire' and 'Full
Contact' - this is the main reason why loyal Ringo Lam
fans will be best advised steer clear of this. Those seeking
an undemanding - and I do stress 'undemanding' - 100 minutes
of entertainment might still like to try this though.
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