Available at Amazon.com
Directed by
Lau Kar-Leung
Cast:
Lau Kar-leung … Yu Jing-chuen, Second Uncle
Kara Hui … Jing Dai-nan
Hsiao Ho … Charlie Yu Tao
Johnny Wang … Third Uncle
Wilson Tong Wai-shing … Third Uncle’s swordsman
Kwan Yung-moon … Third Uncle’s Qi Gong expert
Walter Cho Tat-wah … First Uncle
Gordon Liu … James
While the box art for My Young Auntie proudly displays From the Director of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin on its front cover, it makes me wonder whether this will actually serve to infuriate more fans than impress them. The reason is, while 36th Chamber is a rousing adventure and quite humorous at times, those that are expecting the same tone from Director Lau Kar Leung in this particular Shaw Bros.’ outing from 1981 may find themselves disappointed. Packed with the broadest of comedy bits, musical numbers, swashbuckling, and supremely goofy dance sequences, My Young Auntie is a film trying to do what ever it can to please a broad audience, but does it entertain hardcore Kung fu fans?
The film tells the story of Jing Dai-Nan (the beautiful Kara Hui), a young disciple of a martial arts master on the verge of death. Fulfilling his last wish, the young woman agrees to marry her master in order to become the executor of his will, so that she may bequeath his estate to his loyal nephew (Co-Star and Director Lau Kar Leung) rather than seeing his evil brother, Yu Wing-Sang (Johnny Wang), take the majority of his belongings. While this alone would be a premise that could probably carry your standard Martial Arts film, My Young Auntie goes as many extra miles as possible to add in conflicts involving Chinese traditions vs. more modern western thought and also a light sexual tension between our heroin and Charlie (Hsiao Ho), the young son of her master’s nephew.
Charlie, a college student visiting his father from Hong Kong, goes head to head with the stringent Chinese customs observed by Dai-Nan, and the clashes between the two come to some pretty uproarious results. With the sexual tension pretty high between the two, each keeps trying to one-up the other, such as a scene in which a group of bullies is dispatched by the duo, with each showing off their kung fu skills one at a time as they take out the brigands. Other scenes, including a ridiculously staged masquerade ball, show Charlie trying to manically embarrass his new grand aunt, but when others come to harm her, he then becomes the first to come to her defense.
Director Lau Kar Leung pulls out all the stops in the film’s comedy bits, with Kara Hui and Hsiao Ho having a wonderful chemistry together. We also get a terrific supporting part from 36th Chamber’s Gordon Liu, as a friend of Charlie’s who loves nothing more than to sing and dance. It’s amazing to see the man who plays Pai Mei in Kill Bill<, and one of the all time great big screen bad asses absolutely make a fool of himself by playing against type. Seeing him in a black wig and mustache playing a guitar is funny enough, watching him in a foppish 18th-Century French Court-style wig during the masquerade ball is downright side-splitting.
It’s the film’s starlet that really carries this picture though. Absolutely radiant onscreen, Hui blossoms from prudish blowhard to screen siren before our very eyes, and impressing us even further during the film’s fight scenes, expertly staged by the film’s director. With excellent timing in the both the film’s action and comedic scenes, Hui establishes a screen presence as strong as any starlet I’ve ever seen in a Hong Kong film. While Lau Kar Leung does her a disservice by undercutting her importance in the film’s final fight scenes, she’s able to really hold her own on screen with every male member of this cast for 90% of the films running time.
My Young Auntie is a superior Kung Fu Comedy from this point in Hong Kong cinema, but those expecting more old school chop-socky will perhaps find disappointment. The film’s action output isn’t as intense as Lau Kar Leung’s best work, but to overlook the rest of the film’s qualities would be nearly criminal. Kara Hui and Hsiao Ho both display astonishing chemistry and their hi-jinks make this an easy recommendation. Even without high doses of action, My Young Auntie is a testament to the competency and veritable talents of Director Lau Kar Leung, and should be enjoyed on its own terms.
The Video
Another terrific transfer from Dragon Dynasty again, as the movie looks nearly like a brand new film on this disc, with its wonderful sets looking spectacular on this superior transfer. The film is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1.
The Audio
The film’s Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack is also pretty decent, and probably the best transfer of this film that’s ever been put on disc. You get both a Chinese and English track and both are pretty good.
Feature Commentary by Film Scholars Elvis Mitchell and Andy Klein – This is a pretty enthusiastic commentary track with these two, and I really like it that Mitchell can’t help but really get geeked out about this movie. Each expert seems to really know this genre in and out and never really stop hitting you with the little tidbits of info. Bravo to Dragon Dynasty for putting these teams together on these Shaw Bros discs, because each has been a real treat.
Interview with Star Kara Hui – Hui goes through much of her career as both a martial artist and an actress in this interview. It only goes about 15 minutes or so, but she’s quite upbeat and engaging, making this a worthwhile feature.
Interview with Film Scholars David Chute and Andy Klein – Once again, these two pack a lot of info into a small interview, as each discuss the importance of the female protagonist in the Martial Arts genre and its storied past.
Trailer Gallery – Much like the other Shaw Bros Collection disc, this one is packed with trailers for this film and other Dragon Dynasty releases, but also has some terrific trailers for other Shaw Brothers classics.
Commentator Biographies
Posters and Stills Gallery
My Young Auntie |
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