Walk In
In the same year (1997) that these two men - Herman
Yau (director) and Nam Yin (producer) began the Troublesome Night series
they also made this feature length film. In some respects it resembles
their Troublesome Night films as it cleverly mixes the genres of horror
and comedy but it also throws in elements of action and romance and is
in total a much fuller and realized piece than any of their Troublesome
Night films. In an interview Yau mentions that there is subtext here regarding
the imminent Handover but I must confess that if I hadnt read it I would
never have picked up on this. The film plays well though with or without
getting the symbolism within.
For me this was just an immensely fun little film
that evolves from what initially seems to be a supernatural horror film
to a near screwball action comedy. It also contains some terrific performances
from Danny Lee, Dayo Wong and Ada Choi. Ada is simply delightful nothing
surprising there but both Danny and Dayo play against their typical film
image and both deliver excellent performances. Lee has to carry this film
and has never been better or funnier. In a smaller but intriguing role
Wu Chien-lien is suitably eerie and mysterious.
Wu Chien-lien looking beautiful in her blue tinted
hair and sorrowful expression walks to the top of a building and sits on
the ledge contemplating suicide. She turns to the police who have shown
up Dayo and Yu Li and tells them that she has been a loser all her
life and it is time to change that. How Dayo asks. By Walking In
Wu replies and jumps to her death along with a creepy looking cat. Or does
she? Ten floors below, she lands next to Dayos partner, Shing Fui On,
and lies motionless for a few minutes before she struggles to her feet,
licks herself, smiles enigmatically and walks away.
Later both Danny Lee and Dayo are badly injured
during a heist committed by Vincent Wan Lee is shot and goes into a coma
that the doctors think he will never come out of while Dayo is paralyzed
after getting hit by a car. Dayo wants to die but his girlfriend Yu Li
convinces him to visit Wu Chien-lien. She is now smoking cigars and talking
like a bitter old man - but tells Dayo how he can walk into another
body (ie. subtext for China walking into HK).
Dayo goes to the comatose body of Danny Lee and
tells him if he allows Dayo to walk in he will avenge him an upbeat
in his monitor gives Dayo permission. Afterwards (now being played by Danny
Lee of course) Dayo thanks God for allowing him to walk and have a working
penis again - but he should have done some more research.
He soon discovers that Lee is a small time stuttering
crook hated by practically everyone - has two triad gangs trying to kill
him - has a mother, a wife and two concubines who despise him (and
all live together!) has a sister (Ada Choi) who develops a crush on him
- Yu Li no longer is attracted to him in his Danny Lee body - and he is
getting turned on by his sister - but its not really his sister - but he
is suffering from premature ejaculation anyway - and Danny Lee's spirit
is watching to make sure he doesn't take advantage of his women.
Its all very complicated and gets increasingly
more comedic as Dayo make that Danny - tries to deal with his personal
problems and catch the bad guys responsible for shooting him. Also making
appearances are Law Koon-lan as his wife and Yvonne Yung Hung as one of
his concubines.
My rating for this film: 7.5
DVD Information:
Distributed by Mei Ah
The transfer is excellent - sharp, rich colors.
Letterboxed
Cantonese and Mandarin language tracks
20 Chapters
The subtitles are Chinese or English or None.
There is no trailer or other previews.
The subs are fairly easy to read.