Front Page

Although it does feature a sub-text criticising tabloid journalism in Hong Kong, this is first and foremost a Michael Hui comedy - the first in many years to reunite him with his brothers Sam and Ricky, young hero and eternal fall guy respectively. It's not as funny as Hui's Chicken and Duck Talk, but the patchwork script has a satisfying integrity of structure, the performances are terrific, and there are plenty of droll situations and sight gags. Michael Hui himself shines in his usual role as the would-be tyrant unable to sustain his tyranny; this time the character is a news magazine editor trying to stave off the official receiver.