Pedicab Driver (1989)
Director: Sammo Hung
Cast:
Plot: Lo Tung (Sammo Hung) and Mai Chien-Tang (Max Mok) are two hard working pedicab drivers in 1930‘s Machau. Both are looking for love in their lonely lives. Lo Tung forms a romantic friendship with Ping (Nina Li Chi), an apprentice of Fong (Suen Yuet) the local baker, while Mai Chien-Tang romances a mysterious woman named Hsiao Tsui (Fennie Yuen) after he accidentally knocks her down. The mysterious woman has a secret that she wants to keep from Mai Chien-Tang, but things don’t run too smoothly. When a local Triad boss known as Master 5 (John Shum) arranges the brutal murder of the young couple, To Lung and Rice Pudding (Meng Hoi), another friend and pedicab driver are compelled to avenge their deaths.
Review: This classic from the late eighties has become one of the most famous of Sammo Hung’s films. Not because the film is a masterpiece, (Which in my opinion it is.) but because over the years it has become so difficult to see, let alone own a copy on DVD. The tale of friendship and love in 1930’s Machau has much to recommend it, not just the stunning action and the intricate martial arts, but also the multi layered story with some fine performances from the lead and supporting cast. I would urge you to see this if the opportunity arises.
This is a film of contrast more than any other in Sammo’s long career as a director, and this is down to a truly original script by Barry Wong who was a regular writer for Sammo‘s films. Playing like a gentle romantic comedy with some magnificent physical action for the most part, this has what can only be described as a shocking change of pace when it becomes a story of murder and revenge. Rarely has a film changed its mood so dramatically but somehow this works extremely well as the believable characters drive the story, with all actors concerned giving 110%.
A tale of two friends and their romantic exploits, we have the largely comic story featuring Sammo’s love for the young woman helping the local baker. Complications are added when the old baker, played with emotional depth by Suen Yuet, also has a crush on his young apprentice. The second, far more serious tale deals with Max Mok’s relationship with a woman he meets by accident, in every sense of the word. Max Mok’s performance is quietly assured as he delivers his mixed bag of emotions while Fennie Young gives an equally multi layered performance as the woman who tries to hide the fact that she works as a prostitute a secret from her new admirer. It is this relationship that brings the tragic element that eventually sparks the violent conclusion to this tale.
As you would expect from a film directed by Sammo Hung it is the action that makes this the magnificently entertaining experience that it is. Opening with a fight which is largely for laughs between some coolies and the pedicab drivers we have some entertaining cameos. Look out for Corey Yuen as the leader of the coolies, but also in this sequence we have Peter Chan, Billy Lau and Eric Tsang giving another comic turn as the man who accidentally starts the fight. If you are looking to spot familiar action and stunt players this entire film is filled with cameos. The biggest and best of these has to the appearance of the legendry Lau Kar Leung as a casino boss who Sammo has to fight to get back some money. The sight of the two action legends standing toe to toe is reason enough to watch this film, but what is really incredible here is that this fight comes so early in the film as if to wet your appetite for what will come later. They fight with empty hands at first and later with poles, showing great power and skill. This is exhilarating stuff from two men who have amassed countless classic fights over their film careers, and you may even think that the action will peak too soon with this kind of quality display, but believe me there is more to come.
We have some great stunt work on show too. In one of my favourite sequences we have a chase through the town’s streets where Sammo on his pedicab is being chased by a car. So frantic is the chase, and so much pressure is put on the relatively fragile pedicab that it crumbles and falls apart leaving just the tricycle frame. One part of this sequence has Sammo and Nina Li riding along the side of a wall, forced up by the pursuing car.
Meng Hoi also deserves a special mention for his contribution here. Along with assisting Sammo with the choreography he also plays another one of the main supporting characters. Another regular in Sammo’s films over the years he gets to play a sensitive character who witnesses the murders as he tries to keep his family safe, and then goes with Sammo to exact revenge. He also takes part in a “Star Wars” light sabre send up in the early coolie fight that amuses, even if it doesn't make any sense at the time.
Lam Ching Ying gives fine support in a non action role and is a stand out mainly during the pivotal scene where Hsiao Tsui’s secret is revealed to everyone. A wonderfully played scene that conveys the emotions of all and is particularly well played by the two female leads. John Shum plays pretty much against type as the ruthless triad master. His performance makes you loath Master 5 as it becomes apparent that he is just a spoilt little man who has too much power. Surprisingly, he also plays his own father with a more caring approach, especially during the finale.
Supporting the cruel triad we have some first class screen fighters that include Chung Faat and kickboxing champion Billy Chow. Billy’s character here is pure evil and it is all done with looks and physical menace. He has no lines of dialogue in the entire film. He kills without mercy and at one point he even callously kicks a pregnant woman. The eagle eyed among you may notice that the pregnant woman’s husband is played by none other than Dick Wei, in an extremely rare non villainous role. For Billy Chow, this role catapults him instantly into the major league of fighting villains. When he finally faces up against Sammo it is a treat for fight fans with the big man having to out kick, out punch and even out flip the emotionless killer. The choreography is among some of Sammo’s most brutal ever caught on camera, but fits in completely with the tone the film has reached by this point.
The best way to describe this film is an emotional roller coaster ride. Only Hong Kong cinema could ever give us a film like this one. It flits from comedy to drama to tragedy effortlessly, never losing sight of individual characters and always keeping the audience entertained. The film stirs so many emotions it is a tribute to Sammo Hung’s skill as a film maker. This is possibly the last great kung fu film of the eighties, and one that deserves to be watched and appreciated by as wide an audience as possible. Let’s hope that one day soon we will finally get a DVD release worthy of this classic spectacle.
Rating: 5/5
Review by D. M.
Photos by Klara
Photos by Klara
For bigger photos please click on thumbnails
For more pictures visit the Pedicab Driver Photo Album