Xin nan xiong nan di

After viewing Hi, mom( Ni Hao, Li Huan Ying), I came to review this movie. it's a knot solving comedy, u never expect your parents were so cool during their prime!

Being a recent fan of Tony Leung Chiu Wai ("Little Tony") led me to rent this at an obscure video store that specializes in Hong Kong film. As usual, he is adept at comedy in this particular feature, playing the materialistic Yuen. Tony Leung Kar Fai (whose acting I find overrated) was adequate as Yuen's father, as was Carina Lau ("Little Tony"'s real life girlfriend) as Yuen's mother. Although the time-travel element was a little contrived and there is no complex Oedipal issues as with "Back to the Future," I was content to suspend my disbelief and concentrate on the humor and the acting. It's a simple story of the struggle to understand the older generation and it's very heartwarming. There's a couple of musical-inspired 50's dance scenes as well as a farcical moment where both Tonys disguise themselves as female servants. If you are familiar with Tony Leung Chiu Wai's work - and wish for something lighthearted (after viewing "Cyclo" and "Ashes of Time") this is a delight to watch.

No doubt about it, this film is lifted by the outstanding comedic performances of the two Tonys. Their chemistry lights up a movie that deserves better scriptwriting and directing. A rather nonsensical comedy, yet it pulls at the heart strings through the protaganist's yearn to learn more about his father's past and ultimately regretting his misguided hatred for his dad. It brings new life to the classic 'Tell Laura I love her', so simple yet so memorable as the film's title track.

I watched this movie when I was little, not quite understanding the plot and meaning of it. Now I watched again in my 30s I can fully relate to the characters. It is a meaningful, touching, funny movie, and the retro scene was very well made.

Seen subtitled on the International Channel, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother [Father]" released in 1993 is a comedy/drama that stays with you a long time. It is sweet and good-natured and touches upon one of the deepest wishes that children of dead or dying parents may have -- to go back in time -- to KNOW.