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Starring
:
Sammy
Leung
Anthony
Wong
Kitty
Yuen
Wyman
Wong
Joe
Lee
Pace
Wu
Helen
Ma
Producer
:
Joe
Ma
Director
:
Matt
Chow
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UNITED
WE STAND, AND SWIM (2001)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
Hong
Kong cinema everyman Matt Chow has a plethora of feathers in
his cap. From minor acting credits in productions like 'Feel
100%' and 'Twins
Effect' to writing credits for Wilson Yip's excellent 'Juliet
In Love', Chow has much to be commended for. 'United We
Stand, And Swim' gives some indications that, although his
talent is still quite raw as a director, he could still be a
name to watch among new film-makers.
The
ironically-nicknamed 'Little Fish' reaches a turning point in
his life when his girlfriend dumps him because he cannot swim.
After the inevitable ribbing from family and friends alike,
Little Fish resolves to learn to swim and claw back some
self-respect before its too late. Enrolling in a class run by
a laconic swimming instructor (Anthony Wong), he is thrown
together with an equally desperate band of individuals, each
having their own reasons for learning: there's an ambitious
triad who needs to learn for an upcoming 'deal'; a
newly-married couple who are keen to take advantage of a beach
holiday they've won; then there's the dazed alcoholic (Joe
Lee) whose reasons are a mystery to everyone. Little Fish is
also encouraged by the arrival of an attractive young woman
who divides her time between the class and her goal of
becoming a screenwriter. This hopeless band find that their
regular classes together are beginning to create a bond
between them, while also helping them to gain much-needed
self-esteem.
To
some, 'United We Stand, And Swim' may seem to be a somewhat
inconsequential production. Apart from a few 'sports movie'
clichés and a very subtle romantic sub-plot, the film is
uneventful and therefore, some might argue, uninteresting.
However, the enjoyment that is had from viewing this modest,
yet mostly rewarding production is that it is a character
piece that avoids action or histrionics. As the film
progresses, the various players become more important to the
overall piece and add a number of understated comic scenes.
Matt Chow was obviously working with a modest budget, but he
makes the most of these constraints and lets the quality of
his writing shine through. With such an accomplished body of
work already, Chow shows that, as longs as his directorial
skills develop along the same lines, he could be another
addition to the impressive list of newer Hong Kong talent. He
still needs to learn to have the courage of his convictions
though; the film's minor weaknesses come from the unnecessary
rivalry sub-plot that reaches a very poorly executed climax.
The need to include 'sports movie' conventions into a film
that really doesn't need them is an unfortunate flaw.
'United
We Stand, And Swim' is devoid of big names though Anthony Wong
is of course watchable as the swimming teacher. Nevertheless,
regular Miriam Yeung co-star Sammy Leung takes centre stage
with surprising success; my fear that he would be mugging for
the camera and overacting thankfully proved to be totally
unfounded. Wilson Yip fans will also relish seeing an
excellent cameo for the director, playing himself in an
amusing scene. The fact of the matter is, though, that 'United
We Stand, And Swim' is an ensemble comedy that isn't
over-reliant on any of the actors in the film. The chance is
therefore given to a few of Hong Kong's regular character
actors to get the credit they deserve and it is their efforts
that help make this a recommended film.
Rating:
  
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