Sylvia Chang: Run papa run (2008)

Cast: Louis Koo, Rene Liu, Nora Miao, Yihan Liu, Convoy Chan Chi-Chung
Simply heart-warming… Review by Neo: It is movies like Run Papa Run that keeps HK cinema interesting and its dwelling number of fans on hold. In what is quite frankly a below average year of HK Cinema, Run Papa Run comes at the right time and also it's about time too. With a flick of time, it's now the 1st of July, in financial terms; it is now officially the next financial year and luckily the latest flick from the ever dependable humanist director, Sylvia Chang steals the spotlight of 2008. What makes this flick so special is that despite venturing into a crowded and cliché genre of triad. The film somehow manages to not be clichéd and ingeniously linking Chang's most prominent theme of family values into a bittersweet packaging of a dark chocolate cake. Adding to the icing on top of the cake is the well established chemistry between Rene Liu and Louis Koo, where both seem to be just carrying on from last year's Happy Birthday.
From the opening scene, the audience will already know the fate of the character, Louis Koo is playing, but yet somehow, director Chang still manages to mixes it up and the most of all, the film works. Neo have always been a fan of films that tries hard to touch with the audience heart and yet leaving behind a trail of thoughts within the audience mind. Luckily, Run Papa Run excels in this area and the result is an engaging family drama disguised as a triad genre flick to fuel the box office degree. It is never easy to link two very different genres together, but what allows this flick to work is Chang ability to stay real and the time and concentration she plays to character details is ultimately rewarding. Not to mention, the film possesses a great soundtrack to boot.
There is no doubting that Run Papa Run goes the route not taken usually and the result is easily a winning experience for HK Cinema fans that wanted and longed for something different. What veteran actress turned director does so successfully here is her ability to merge her usual independent style of film-making with enough commercialism to be accessible enough to most movie goers. It is ultimately an interesting look at the different view of life of a triad leader and how much someone can change because of their own children. Sure, some people may say that the change is too sudden, but Neo tend to disagree and knowing how much his own father loves him, it perhaps added layers to the film.
Dark Chocolate, Louis Koo is suitably cast as a triad leader, in a role that he has grown in familiarity since his involvement in the Election series. However, it is his ability to be a father that truly amazed the current reviewer. After years of one dimensional roles in numerous romantic comedies, Koo in recent years have challenged himself in juicy roles like Election and more recently in what Neo once claimed "Koo's best role to date" as a drug addict in Protégé. While Koo is yet to win any awards, there is no doubt that this lad has definite potential. The current role allowed him to expand his range and his at times overacting is actually a complimentary joy to watch. Notwithstanding, his tired and true chemistry with fellow veteran Rene Liu is fast becoming a cinematic item along the lines of Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng. A heart warming, yet bittersweet performance and for someone who was once just nothing more than a heartthrob, Koo have certainly comes a long way.
With Rene Liu approaching the 40 years old mark, there is no doubt that she is aging more gracefully than ever. With the looks of someone at most the 30 mark, Liu is elegantly beautiful as always. It is always a plus when someone who is both pretty and can act. Although Liu is a good actress, it must be noted that she have been playing the same role over and over again, take no further look than Matrimony and last year's Happy Birthday. Luckily, Liu actually tries something different here and her curious yet enjoyable personality at the beginning is well developed all the way towards maturity as the film progresses. Along with Koo, both actor/actress are able to add layer to the film and being a character director in Chang, it is certainly crucial to the ingredients. Also look out for a return to the big screen by veteran Max Mok and the always likable Lam Suet.
All in all, Run Papa Run is very much a successfully piece of HK cinema. While it scores more points for being original, what makes this film works is ultimately the engaging characters, quality acting, well-paced film-making and a quality script to boot. Adding to that, there is the X-factor of emoting and connecting with the audience on a touching level. In terms of HK Cinema, it is probably as good as it gets and for long suffering fans of HK cinema, it is a small cheer of celebration. It is not every day in the commercially driven society of Hong Kong can produce something that balance the goods of both commercial and independent film-making style and Run Papa Run is able to succeeds on both fronts. Perhaps, by now the awaiting readers can probably guess what's going to come next from Neo. After all, it is rare that Neo goes by a film with a single word of criticism; then again, Neo is bias when it comes to a film that he loves. That's right; Neo "loves it"…







PW: malamute