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.
Full movie in Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles
Have you seen Conman in Tokyo? What's your favorite Andy Lau film? Let me know in the comments.
Tom De · The Movie Prince 🎬
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