All's Well, Ends Well 2009

The original film with this title, made in the 80's with Maggie Cheung and Ms. Ng, was a frenetic, shrill mess. This one is frenetic, shrill at times, but its not a mess. Actually, this film reminds me of many Hong Kong comedies of the 80's, with improbable but interesting forays into parts unknown, with characters that seem pathetic (one is "Bucktooth Jane", who by the end you love) and with histrionic drama and action. There is much slapstick also. The story itself is simple: Sandra plays a magazine editor who is single and, by a family tradition, if she does not marry, neither can her sibling, Kei (Ronald Cheng). Kei enlists Dick, a good looking love therapist to get Sandra to fall in love and get married. She falls for him, of course, and the madness ensues. Please don't take this film too seriously. Sandra does her trademark mugging for the camera (a trademark of hers, it is endearing) and a few pratfalls, and you just have to love her. Raymond Wong (now I know its an 80's throwback!)shows up along the way, and its great to see him with Sandra. If you liked Hong Kong comedies in the recent past, this one is fun. I've seen good and bad ones (some great, even), and this is a good, fun film. I recommend it.