Given the opportunity to sit down here in 2022 and watch the 2017 drama "Hung Sau Dou" (aka "The Empty Hands"), needless to say that I jumped at the chance given my fascination with the Hong Kong cinema. And seeing that the movie was also starring Chapman To definitely helped to sweeten the deal.
The storyline told in "Hung Sau Dou", as written by Erica Li and Chapman To, was a mixed bag of nuts for me. Sure, there were interesting aspects to the storyline and parts that were rather good, but as the movie came to an end, I was left with an overwhelming sensation of 'was that really it?'. The movie doesn't really come full circle and leaves much to be desired.
It should be noted, though, that the cast ensemble in the movie was good. It is always a treat to watch Chapman To in movies, and he definitely also spruced up "Hung Sau Dou", no doubt about that. I am not overly familiar with Stephy Tang, but she did carry the movie quite well with her performance in the leading part.
"Hung Sau Dou" was watchable, but it was not an outstanding moment in Hong Kong cinema, nor does it have the contents to become a classic movie. And I highly doubt that I will ever return to watch "Hung Sau Dou" a second time.
My rating of director Chapman To's "Hung Sau Dou" lands on a bland five out of ten stars.
The storyline told in "Hung Sau Dou", as written by Erica Li and Chapman To, was a mixed bag of nuts for me. Sure, there were interesting aspects to the storyline and parts that were rather good, but as the movie came to an end, I was left with an overwhelming sensation of 'was that really it?'. The movie doesn't really come full circle and leaves much to be desired.
It should be noted, though, that the cast ensemble in the movie was good. It is always a treat to watch Chapman To in movies, and he definitely also spruced up "Hung Sau Dou", no doubt about that. I am not overly familiar with Stephy Tang, but she did carry the movie quite well with her performance in the leading part.
"Hung Sau Dou" was watchable, but it was not an outstanding moment in Hong Kong cinema, nor does it have the contents to become a classic movie. And I highly doubt that I will ever return to watch "Hung Sau Dou" a second time.
My rating of director Chapman To's "Hung Sau Dou" lands on a bland five out of ten stars.