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Starring
:
Lau
Ching Wan
Wu
Chien Lien
Yuen
Wah
Dayo
Wong
Producer
:
Vincent
Kok
Director
:
Vincent
Kok
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ONLY
FOOLS FALL IN LOVE (1995)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
Fuk
(Lau Ching Wan) holds the honour of being the richest, yet
most miserable man in town. The only pleasure Fuk enjoys is
humiliating all of those who get in his way and emphasising
his own riches; this behaviour extends towards his own
brother, Jack, who merely broods in silence, awaiting an
opportunity for revenge. The moment for Jack to step out of
the shadows and show his true colours arrives when Fuk is
involved in an accident during a traditional Chinese ceremony
and subsequently changes from influential man about town to a
child-like vagabond. Fuk is forced to wander the streets while
Jack now takes all of his brother's privileges and becomes an
even crueller town chief. An attractive gold-digger remembers
the former prosperity of Fuk and, alongside her conniving
father, takes him in with her eyes purely focused on reaping
future benefits. The realisation hits the pair that Fuk is in
no state to regain his wealth and is more of a burden to them
than anything else; but as time goes by, their burden becomes
quite an asset and the daughter takes a definite shine to this
more genuine version of Fuk. However, when Jack finds out
about his brother's new location, he decides to get rid of his
the former aggressor once and for all.
Vincent
Kok takes the helm of this bright and zany traditional comedy
and displays the aspects that he infused into a number of Chow
Sing-Chi's comedies and, more recently, Jackie Chan's 'Gorgeous'.
The over-the-top style that is often associated with this
sub-genre of comedy may not be to everyone's taste, but it
remains entertaining and raises the odd chuckle. The definite
strengths of the film are the four main performers who handle
their different roles very successfully and the eye-catching
production design. Lau Ching Wan shows his masterful acting
skills by playing the unsympathetic dictator at the beginning
and the lovable hero for the rest of the film; a challenging
juggling act that he pulls off with aplomb. Wu Chien Lien and
Yuen Wah give the film a solid acting spine and Dayo Wong as
the villainous Jack completes the well-rounded cast. As was
mentioned earlier, 'Only Fools Fall In Love' contains some
amusing scenes, but none that could be described as hilarious.
Nonetheless this production is enjoyable and, as long as
expectations aren't too high, is worth watching.
Rating:
 
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