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