Conman in Tokyo 中華賭俠 (2000): The Time Andy Lau Went to Japan, Nick Cheung Got Lost in Translation, and Wong Jing Made a Film That Was Less About Gambling and More About... Sushi?
The Road Trip That Wasn't About Gambling
Here's the thing about 中華賭俠: it's not really about gambling. It's about a road trip to Tokyo. It's about a man who wants revenge. It's about a woman who wants to be saved. It's about a friend who wants to help.
Oh, and there's sushi.
The film was directed by Wong Jing and released on August 31, 2000. It's a road trip comedy disguised as a gambling film. And it's one of the most chaotic films in the series.
What Is It About?
The plot is classic Wong Jing.
Ah King (Andy Lau) is a former gambling champion who has retired to a life of simplicity. He runs a restaurant. He doesn't gamble anymore. He's done with the life.
But his friend, Ah Fook (Nick Cheung), is in trouble. He owes money to a gangster. He needs help. Ah King agrees to help him, but only if Ah Fook agrees to go to Tokyo with him.
In Tokyo, they meet a woman, Siu Yu (Kristy Yeung). They meet a villain, Tit Tau (Ken Lo). They meet a mysterious gambler who seems to know everything about them.
It's a mess. It's a joy. It's pure Wong Jing.
The Cast That Made It Work
Andy Lau as Ah King — the former gambling champion who can't stop helping his friends. He's cool, composed, and always in control.
Nick Cheung as Ah Fook — the friend who gets into trouble. He's funny, annoying, and completely out of his depth.
Kristy Yeung as Siu Yu — the woman who needs saving. She's beautiful, but she's also completely wasted.
Ken Lo as Tit Tau — the villain. He's powerful, ruthless, and completely out of Ah King's league.
Wong Jing as himself — appears in a cameo. Of course he does.
Why It Matters
中華賭俠 is a film that tries to do too much. It's a road trip movie, a revenge film, and a gambling film all at once. It doesn't quite work, but it's a lot of fun.
The film holds a 6.1 on Douban. It's not as good as the original films, but it's better than some of the later sequels.
Final Thought
中華賭俠 is a film about a man who can't escape his past, a friend who can't stop getting into trouble, and a woman who needs saving.
And it's a film that proves that even a road trip can be a gambling film.
Movie video in Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles
Have you seen 中華賭俠? What's your favorite Andy Lau film? Let me know in the comments.
Tom De · The Movie Prince 🎬
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