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Starring
:
Olivia
Cheng
Kent
Cheng
Chow
Yun Fat
Chu
Kong
Shing
Fui On
Eric
Tsang
Producer
:
Raymond
Wong
Director
:
Kent
Cheng
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WHY
ME? (1985)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
Hong
Kong film-making has often presented mental disabilities in an
unfavourable light, even using it as a very obvious form of
unpleasant humour at times. The Derek Yee directed 'The
Lunatics' gave the subject the careful yet uncompromising
treatment that it deserves, making sure that it was neither
twee nor overly histrionic. Although not quite in this league,
Kent Cheng's brave handling of the theme in 'Why Me?' has
enough positive points to have achieved its initial goals.
The
frustrating aspects the occupation soon come to light for
young social worker Koko (Olivia Cheng). With endless cases
needing attention and only limited funds to deal with them,
Koko finds her idealism quashed by her world-weary superior
(Chow Yun Fat). A cause in desperate need of championing
arrives in the shape of the child-like innocent Fat Cat (Kent
Cheng) who lives an isolated existence with his hard-working
mother. During a powerful storm in the village, Koko is
persuaded to seek shelter under the roof of Fat Cat and his
mother before she travels back to her city home. As the time
passes, her sympathy for the plight of these naive villagers
inspires her to push the social services to aid Fat Cat.
Although her application is held up in the bureaucratic cogs
Koko still resolves to help her new friends and also solve the
bullying problem that hinders them. However she also has
personal conflicts of her own to resolve that may affect her
own future happiness.
There's
no doubt that 'Why Me?' is a film of three parts that achieves
very different results. The melodrama is watchable, yet interchangeable
with countless other Hong Kong dramas of the 80's; it follows
a very common theme and sticks to it rigidly. That's not to
say it doesn't hold the attention, but it certainly wont
linger in the memory for any great period of time. Far more
obtrusive is some very inappropriate comedy which, although
appearing in fairly small doses, is nevertheless annoying.
Eric Tsang can sometimes endear, but in his minor comic role
he merely grates. With this is a soundtrack that belongs more
to the kind of madcap comedies that Cinema City were also
making at the time rather than a potential social commentary.
The
main third of 'Why Me?' is by far the strongest with the
tragic story of Fat Cat really holding the viewer's attention.
Kent Cheng gives the best performance of his career in a role
that always manages to avoid histrionics. Although he followed
this with a number of noteworthy roles, this will probably
remain his finest hour. If only his directorial talents had
the focus of his thespian skills then this would have been
much better. Instead this is a production thwarted by
inconsistencies and niggles, even though it makes for very
powerful viewing at times.
Rating:
 
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