Review: Too Many Ways To Be Number One (1997)

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Directed by:
Cast: , , , ,

Not available in Australia on DVD (to our knowledge)

This debut directorial effort from Wai Ka Fai, better known as Johnnie To’s scriptwriter is offbeat to say the least. Lau Ching Wan bumbles around as a small-time gangster who couldn’t get any smaller, led on by his friends, or at least the other small-time triads he hangs out with. There are some other fascinating performances, notably Ruby Wong as the wife (or widow?) of a business partner who wants her share, and takes it out of Ching Wan’s body. Or there’s Cheung Tat Ming, as one of the motley gang who gets his 15 minutes of fame cut rudely short.

For the connoisseur, there’s a parade of naked bottoms that’ll have you squinting at the screen, or some crazy car chases with correspondingly crazy camerawork. And above all, there’s the honour of the triads, for what that’s worth. It’s a flawed but fascinating work, and you’ll regret missing it when you hear all your friends saying “Did you see the bit where…?!?”

7 bathroom tiles out of 10.
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