The Generation Gap (1973)

Director: Chang Cheh

Producer:

Writer: Chang Cheh

Cast: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Agnes Chan (Mei Ling), Kong Ling (Chiang Ling), Lo Dik

Running Time: 113 min.

Plot: Acclaimed film director Chang Cheh gives Shaw Brothers a contemporary facelift with his gangster/generation gap melodrama "The Generation Gap" that stars the dynamic acting duo of David Chiang and Ti Lung. While the action created by Shaw's most successful fight directing pair of Liu Chia Liang (aka Lau Kar Leung) and Tang Chia will bowl you over, it's Chiang's award-winning and dynamic presence that steals the show, revealing how youthful growing pains created by square adults can end in gangsterism and death.

Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com

MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S REVIEW: Generation Gap is about one man's (David Chiang) long and winding journey to find happiness and freedom-of-choice in a world full of assholes, cunts, dick-heads and cock suckers. In other words, the two-faced, selfish, hypocritical fuck-wit that we call society. And believe me, judging from the time this movie was made and where it takes place, it's the same bullshit no matter what age or country we're living in. People telling us how to live, what steps to take in our future, and who we choose to be with. We've all been there - constantly being compared to our more successful peers with parental figures questioning our ability to do the same. Guidance is one thing, communism is another. This leaves no room for youth to evolve and choose their own road - for better or worse. Generation Gap pushes the boundaries on these issues and leave us with the question: who's right - youth or adult?

Generation Gap is definitely a change-of-pace for a Chang Cheh title. Don't expect lots of brawls and blood, because you'll be disappointed. It's more of a drama, which shouldn't come to anyone's surprise considering the film's title (but then again, IVL's box-art seems to market it as a martial arts movie). However, don't let this scare you away from having a good time. It has a fair amount of violence for the harder-nosed viewers. If anything, fans of Chang Cheh's lighter action movies - like Delinquent - should be happy.

The more I see David Chiang perform, the more I think he was the prime candidate for the Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (Chungking Express) of his time. To better say it, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai is the David Chiang of today. In fact, they bare an odd resemblance, both in appearance and mannerisms. Ti Lung, who's just as charismatic, also appears, but only in an extended cameo.

One thing's for sure: Generation Gap is bell-bottom fury at its finest. In fact, this movie feels more like the 70's than the 70's itself. The songs that play in the movie - which are performed by the film's costar (real-life singing sensation, Agnes Chan) - will make any AM Gold hit seem timeless. The wardrobe, props and film sets are colorful, tacky and wickedly surreal. If you're a fan of retro culture in any type of films, then Generation Gap is your visual bible.

MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S RATING: 7/10