Front Page is another movie starring brothers Michael, Ricky and Sam Hui, where Hong Kong tabloid magazine owner Hui (Michael Hui) hires martial artist Bill Lee (Sam Hui) to help him get a good headliner to save his failing business. In the process, Bill meets San-San (Catherine Hung), the fiancée of a wealthy jewelry business owner and pursues her in order to get the scoop about her life. After thinking that San-San would make a great headliner, Bill comes in terms with San-San's hardships and, therefore, is reluctant to publish her story, putting the tabloid company's fate in his hands.
The direction of the movie by Philip Chan is terrific, assembling a cast of characters that delivered unique Chinese humor and tastefully done comedy that would make the audience appreciate and be entertained. Michael, Ricky and Sam all work brilliantly together and delivered some of their best performances in this movie. Co-stars Catherine Hung, Koon-Lan Law, Wing-Cho Yip, Winnie Lau and King-Kei Cheng all made a fabulous supporting cast and contributed to the comedy and drama of the movie. In addition, Siu-Ming Lau made an entertaining and devious villain.
Amidst all the comedy, this movie has a good taste of drama and suspense, including the background in San-San's hardship; the subplot of Bill and San-San's chemistry together; and Hui, Bill and Fly dealing with a gang of robbers (lead by the villainous Brother Shun). There is also a touching message of a good conscience and partnership within all the adventures.
All the course of events of the main plot and subplots are intertwined greatly, which enables the story to flow smoothly and keeps the viewers attracted to the film. From the hunt for a good headliner to run-ins with bad guys disguised as ghosts, and from listening in on confessions to getting scoop on plastic surgery procedures, this film is full of surprises and laughter that remains, what I think, one of the greatest works from the Hui Brothers.
Grade A
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