To Sir with Trouble
Reviewed
by Jack Sobjack
When I first saw this movie I didn't really
care for it, but after just seeing it again I must say there are some good
things about it. To Sir with Trouble is a 1981 comedy starring Lui Wai-Hung
and Moon Lee (while ZU often gets credit as her first film, TSWT is actually
Moon's first movie appearance). This is a straight comedy. While there is
no martial arts action to be seen this movie does provide lot's of slapstick
humor.
Mr. Tai (Lui Wai-Hung) is a high school biology
teacher who has his hands full with troublesome teenagers. In particularly
with a group of students who relentlessly try to make Mr. Tai's life a living
hell. These five students (one of who is played by Moon) take every opportunity
in playing tricks that often backfire on them.
While the humor is often goofy and silly, I did find myself laughing out
loud several times. Like when Mr. Tai catches one of the girls cheating on
a test by looking at the answers written on her slip. When he confronts her
about it she denies it and makes it look like he's molesting her by trying
to see the cheat "slip."
This doesn't stop after school. Wherever Mr.
Tai goes, the kids follow. Whether he's having a bite to eat with his girlfriend
(who's also a teacher) at the local Burger King or going parking for a little
romance. They even break into his house while everyone's sleeping. (A side
note: I thought it was very amusing to hear Billy Joel's "You may be right"
and Rod Stewart's "If you think I'm sexy" over the speakers at the BK restaurant
scene.)
I'm not even going to attempt to include all
the pranks they pull on poor Mr. Tai. You should see them for yourself. The
dissecting frog scene is sick!!! I loved it.
Now the main reason I picked up a copy of this movie is to see a young Moon
Lee. Even though she's not the main star, her character gets quite a bit
of screen time. And she does have some cute moments in this. My favorite
is when her ugly duckling friend is explaining to Moon how high to lift your
skirt if you like someone. The more you like someone, the higher it goes.
We get to see Moon lifting her skirt and showing some leg much to the delight
of the kids gawking through the window (and for me as well). The girls also
practice walking "sexy" as they sing and strut around until good old Mr.
Tai opens the door and both girls turn red.
If you decide to see this don't expect much. Just sit back, relax, give your
brain a rest and enjoy. And don't be afraid to laugh!!!
My rating for this film: 5