This atypical Chan-starrer is one of his attempts to do something different from the normal, so instead of a kung fu-led thriller, we're treated to a lavish melodrama set in the '30s world of gangsters and exquisite clubs. Fans expecting Chan's usual hijinks will see that the actor retains his brand of slapstick humour throughout, but it's drama, pathos, and romance which fleshes out the rest of the plot, not action. There are about three decent action sequences in the entire movie, all of them quite brilliant in Chan's own inimitable way, but the first two are over very quickly and the last one feels tacked on, arriving at the end of a lengthy film where most of our spirit has been taken out of us already. Saying that, this climax in the rope factory is very good and a treat for those who've watched the rest of the film.
The all-star cast is very good indeed, the plot is simple but there are many characters to enliven it and many imaginative situations. Chan is fine as always, ably supported by the late Anita Mui, looking extremely gorgeous here. Veteran performers Bill Tung and Richard Ng provide strong supporting roles with their comedic turns as the fake husband and police chief respectively. The film is awash with cameos from the likes of Yuen Biao. The script is very good and the locations and camera-work excellent. Although the story is very slow-paced, the gentle nature of the comedy and farce and the pleasant characters make it hard to dislike. Not one for action fans, this is instead a more mature, thoughtful and engaging Chinese affair.
The all-star cast is very good indeed, the plot is simple but there are many characters to enliven it and many imaginative situations. Chan is fine as always, ably supported by the late Anita Mui, looking extremely gorgeous here. Veteran performers Bill Tung and Richard Ng provide strong supporting roles with their comedic turns as the fake husband and police chief respectively. The film is awash with cameos from the likes of Yuen Biao. The script is very good and the locations and camera-work excellent. Although the story is very slow-paced, the gentle nature of the comedy and farce and the pleasant characters make it hard to dislike. Not one for action fans, this is instead a more mature, thoughtful and engaging Chinese affair.