Shuang fei lin men

Despite being a big fan of Maggie Cheung then I never gotten around to watch this comedy from 1988. And given the fact that I have had the movie in my movie Collection for close to 10 years also. But I finally got around to watching it.

And with it now having been watched, I can say that this is a very generic Hong Kong comedy for the time it was made. With that in mind, don't get me wrong, because I am not stating that it is a bad movie. Just that it follows a very standard 'how-to-make-a-comedy' recipe. And if you have seen just a few of the comedies from Hong Kong from the late Eighties, then you know what you are in for here.

The story in "Double Fattiness" (aka "Shuang fei lin men") is about Luk Siu-Fung (played by Lydia Shum) who owns and runs a pizza restaurant with her husband Mo Jup-shu (played by Bill Tung) and son Mo Tak-Go (played by Eric Tsang). They are being pressured into selling their lot in order for a company raise new buildings. Luk Siu-Fung dies from a heart attack and her spirit becomes reincarnated into the body of the young and beautiful Diana (played by Maggie Cheung).

All in all, then it is a fun storyline that does offer the occasional wholehearted laugh here and there. But what makes the movie work is the cast list which included some good Hong Kong talents. And if you are familiar with the Hong Kong cinema, then the four main talents should be no strangers to you.

But the generic nature of the movie makes it a bit too mundane, which was a shame. But hey, at least you know exactly what you are getting into.

This is a ghost comedy starring Lydia Sum as Siu-Fung, who runs a pizzeria with her husband Mo Jup-shu (Bill Tung) and son Mo Tak-Go (Eric Tsang). She unexpectedly succumbs to a heart attack and, after her spirit was unable to cross over to the other side, she resurrects into the body of a young woman named Diana (Maggie Cheung) and tries to convince her family that she is alive.

Although a ghost movie, the story relies more on the comedy and family drama for entertainment. The ghost elements were not as ghastly or horrific as much of the ghost comedies of the era, but it works in this film. The plot is fast-paced, with the intriguing device of Siu-Fung trying to connect with her family an interesting element and the sudden appearance of a woman who physically resembles Siu-Fung offers added suspense to the film.

The acting was great - especially liked the parts where Lydia Sum and Maggie Cheung fight off a bunch of minions in the store. Lydia gave a fiery and likable performance in her two roles and Bill Tung gave a dramatic yet carefree performance. Eric Tsang plays the lovable son and Maggie Cheung did great playing two roles as well. Dennis Chan played a hilarious spiritworld keeper and Paul Chun makes a convincing villain. Lots of funny scenes, surprises and touching moments.

Grade A

Sep 21

Another really good ghosty comedy that Hong Kong did so well at this time.

Eric Tsang, Maggie Cheung, Bill Tung and Lydia Sum all star.

If you can get hold of it, check it out.

9 out of 10.