Gam gai

In the mildly amusing "Golden Chicken," Sandra Ng, the tough lesbian Sister Thirteen from the "Young and Dangerous" series, plays the hooker with the heart of gold. Her life story is a metaphor for Hong Kong, which acts the eager courtesan with her different masters, but should not be judged harshly because it suffers many privations and is doing the best it can. The newsreel clips interspersed throughout the film try to keep the parallel going, but it wears thin and the ending is maudlin. Tony Leung briefly turns this entertainment into a real film during the short time he is on camera. The smarmy Andy Lau is a self parody as the fairy godfather. "Golden Chicken" provides insight as to how Hong Kong views itself, and is therefore interesting viewing if one cares to know the answer.

Sandra should have won HKFA award for this. Absolutely brilliant.

This story is about a Hong Kong prostitute ("chicken" is slang for prostitute) who winds up trapped in an atm with a would be robber. To pass the time till power is restored, she tells her life story. This film is a Sandra Ng tour de force. She is great in this role, playing it to the hilt, having fun, enduring heartache and just being her. The movie is told in flashback and while its essentially a comedy there are some sweet, poignant moments. Tony Leung and Andy Lau give some good performances, but this is Sandra's film. I can't imagine this film being remade in the U.S. and that is a great thing. Over her career, Sandra Ng has shown incredible versatility in her acting. She manages to look pretty, sweet and funny, all in the same scene. She won the Golden Horse for Best Actress and she deserved it. Eric Tsang, as the would be robber, is fine, but you'll be blown away by Sandra's performance. Its nit a vulgar film, despite the plot. I highly recommend this film.

I just got in from watching a surprise from the Chicago International Film Festival. This movie replaced another which had sold out so I wasn't planning on seeing it but it fit the slot. Delightfully so. I would venture that it's my favorite movie of the year.

Kum's life goes through absurd beginnings to humble endings and with it a rollercoaster journey. One minute you're laughing, the next you're on the verge of tears -- the latter quite a challenge. I would be surprised and disheartened if it doesn't get a nod this festival.

Sandra Ng probably should have won HKFA Best Actress award. Comedy is an under-appreciated art and Sandra Ng is a true artist, if under-appreciated. This movie shows the trials and tribulations of a Hong Kong woman through her career as a "fish ball" girl, club hostess, masseuse and prostitute while showing a unique view of HK history. I've watched this movie twice and I intend to watch it several more times. There is so much to catch--cameos, social history, irony, subtleties. It's a real treat!