As a matter of fact, at first glance of this film’s poster, “72 Tenants of Prosperity”, I am not interested in it, since so far I think Hong Kong films is usually dull when compared to western films. Nevertheless, after watching this film, it really deserves me to watch. It makes me generate a sense of intimacy and belongings towards Hong Kong culture. Apart from mainly comprising of comedy elements in this film, it also reflects Hong Kong’s spirit, popular culture and current socials problems. All these elements will make people feel resonance. These are part of the reasons why it gains popularity and it becomes the second highest in Hong Kong’s box office within ten years, just behind the film of Stephen Chow周星馳.
This film is directed by Tsang Chi Wai曾志偉 and was shown on 11th February. Actually, this film was the modern version of “The House of 72 Tenants”(七＋二家房客) released in 1973.
With regard to the genre of this film, it is clearly a comedy film. Nonetheless, it also includes the elements of musical, action, romance, horror. It is interesting through the musical way to show the element of comedy, thereby, constructing a vivid effect.
There are several elements that generate resonance among Hongkongers. For instance, the Sai Yeung Choi street in the film, demonstrating Hong Kong culture,it is one of the significant streets in the Mong Kok. There are numerous Hong Kong people crowding in this street every day, especially middle-aged people and teenagers. Moreover, you can buy many things in this street such as shoes, beverage, foods, mobile phones etc. with a cheap price. Actually, this street accompanies many Hong Kong people to grow up.
Furthermore, this film reflects Hong Kong peoples’ spirit— Hard- fought spirit. In this film, the main characters were confronting with the possibilities of increasing the rents of their shops and extreme competitive commercial environment, despite of these constraints, they earn their living through different methods such as using teen model模 as promotion. Apart from demonstrating the gimmick promotion of Hongkongers, it also shows some of the social phenomenon.
Additionally, Hong Kong peoples’ hard-fought spirit is shown in the beginning of the film. Through the way of musical, this film shows the hardship of working class people under the exploitation of employers, the working class people, performed by the main characters, have to be hard-working so as to earn their living revealed by the lyrics in the song of musical.
For characters, this film wisely attracts different age group. For instance, it utilizes Angelababy, Stephy Tang鄧麗欣, Raymond Lam林峯, Bosco Wong黄宗澤 etc., these artists can attract young to middle age group; also, this film uses some leading and significant artists such as Jacky Cheung張學友, Anita Yuen袁詠儀 etc., these characters can attract middle age group.
Also, this film offers intertextual scenes. For example, you can see Prudence Lau劉美君 once again performing the role of prostitute in this film, Michael Tse 謝天華 performing the role of “ LaughingGor”. These characters’ speaking attitude and posture are the same as their previous films’ characters. These familiar characters make you laugh and feel funny as well as generating a sense of intimacy.
Lastly, apart from comprising of Hong Kong’ collective memories, this film also promotes a mutual-aid spirit and raises the awareness and retrospection of people regarding the social issues such as acid-attack.
Tsang Jessibel Mia, Chloe 10347221
To be frank, it’s quite risky to work on this film again, as your classmates have examined most of its major elements in their reviews. To be frank, it’s quite risky to work on this film again, as your classmates have examined most of its major elements in their reviews. Apart from this constraint, your work is well organized with discussion on the Hong Kong spirit, the use of musical approach, the intertextual components, and the casting strategy.
ReplyDeleteYour observation on the ways that “musical” reflects the hardship of working class people in the film is quite interesting. You may consider quoting some of the lyrics (or its major theme) as examples. In addition, more personal reflections can be elaborated in the review to make it distinctive from the work of your classmates.