Chow Yun Fat shines....

...in this melancholy story.

All About Ah-Long (1989 HongKong "A Lang de gi shi") Chow Yun Fat, Sylvia Chang, Kwan Yuen Wong. Story of a poor man and his little boy living day by day, a lower working class life. The relationship between father and son is warm but who is looking out for who? A big chance for the boy comes and changes everything. Ah-long tries to do what is right for his little boy and finds out it is not easy to find the right solution to life's dilemmas.This is a fine film and Chow Yun-Fat is perfect as the ne'r do well who becomes a man for his son. Highly recommended.
I grade it down for the poor quality of the video tape which I bought in 1999. Poor transfer and Amazon should have had something about it in the online page for this film. It did tell us that there were subtitles, so at least we knew we were hearing the real actors own voices, which is always a plus as far as I'm concerned. So 8/10 for this video. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098694/

Chow Yun Fat is an actor I have followed since first discovering him in 1999s "Anna & The King." Tall, graceful and good looking, he is the star of the John Woo Hong Kong action films that made them both famous. But in going through his catalog of films, you realize this is a real actor with range and depth. From "The Killer;" the "Better Tomorrow" trilogy; to the sweet love story set in NYC "An Autumns Tale"; and his comedies, "God Of Gamblers 1 & 2" where he is the epitome of suave; Chow is amazing in every role. He does drama, action, passion and pathos equily well.


His films in the USA do not quite meet the standard of his work in his HK films. Except for Anna & The King with the great Jodie Foster. He IS the King, and the film only lets its' stars down because of the script. The scenery of Malaya and the score both are marvelous. The costumes are just beautiful. I loved it but realise I am a romantic and suspend my disbelief when I love something.


And the film with the great director Ang Lee; "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Li Mu Bai was a role made for him. Almost perfect in every way, his is the quiet, strong heart of the story.

I have not seen the last Pirate film with Depp "Worlds End." Tried the 1st one and could not get through the first half hour, so will not waste time and money on the others. I did see 2007s "Curse Of The Golden Flower" and Chow was good as the emporer in a lavish production.

I'll be watching his career and hoping we have another chance to see the great man in another great film.