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Starring
:
Sammo
Hung
Maggie
Cheung
Alfred
Cheung
Dick
Wei
Billy
Chow
Action
:
Sammo
Hung
Lam
Ching Ying
Chin
Kar Lok
Yuen
Wah
Producer
:
Choi
Wing Cheong
Director
:
Alfred
Cheung
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PAPER
MARRIAGE (1988)
Reviewed
by Tony Ryan
This
often overlooked, but worthwhile comedy sees Sammo play Bo, an
ex-boxer down on his luck and in desperate need of cash to pay
off gambling debts and the alimony requirements of his ex-wife
(played by real life partner Joyce Godenzi). His old boxing
trainer recommends that he marry a Chinese immigrant for cash
in order to get her a green card, however, upon her arrival,
the cash is taken and the incompatible couple must find other
ways to survive!
Holding
together what is an unoriginal plot are some memorable comedic
and action scenes, none more so than seeing the effervescent
Maggie Cheung take part in a mud wrestling contest! Other
notable moments see Sammo take part in a couple of illegal
boxing bouts reminiscent of, but better than those in Jet Li's
'Born to Defend', as well as Sammo being beaten up by Dick Wei
in his house, destroying almost every piece of furniture at
hand.
Billy
Chow shows a gentler side to his character and plays a good
guy for a change, helping Sammo beat off a group of thugs in a
shopping mall during the final reel. This ending fight
sequence is similar in pace, length and quality to that of 'Carry
on Pickpocket', and is definitely worth a repeat viewing
as even Maggie gets to pull off some acrobatic moves (all be
it with some obvious doubling).
Although
Sammo and Maggie rarely create any convincing chemistry, the
film contains enough action and laughs to entertain most Hong
Kong fans, and may even be worth an extra star if you are a
really big fan of either Sammo or Cheung (which I am!),
therefore making this DVD a recommended, if not wholly
essential purchase.
Rating:
 
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