“The Teahouse” Chinese Theatrical Poster
Director: Kuei Chih Hung
Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Yeung Chi Hing, Lee Sau Kei, Karen Yip Ling Chi, Ha Ping, Cheung Chok Chow, Shum Lo, Fung King Man, Chung Chaan Chi, Yeung Chak Lam, Wong Yu, Chan Laap Ban, Chan Mei Hua, Chan Shen, Ching Gong, Fan Mei Sheng
Running Time: 96 min.
By JJ Hatfield
“The Teahouse” is a story on film more than a movie. It begins rather peacefully and simply, focusing on ordinary people living through increasingly complex and dire circumstances. This is a beautiful dramatic piece of work directed by Kuei Chih Hung. There are a tremendous number of people in the cast, though many have only a short amount of screen time.
This is one of the few films I have seen in this general genre that is actually fully explored. Chen Kuan Tai (Big Brother) plays Wang Chen, a good man living in increasingly bad times. Despite this, he has managed to take his business from a street vendor to a modern-day restaurant he has named “The Teahouse.”
Unfortunately, the area has become ridden with violence and every kind of crime imaginable. Before long, the people may as well be living in a war zone.
Wang Chen has always been helpful to people, and the villagers seek out his assistance. Big Brother has already made a decision.
The cast puts forth a tremendous amount of effort, including Chen Kuan Tai. The characters are fleshed out so that you really begin to care about them. Everything present in the film is also present in real life: love, passion, romance, anger, joy, sorrow, ecstasy, and pain. One of the finest features of this film is the delivery of some very powerful performances by a dedicated cast and crew.
The original story was written by Chiang Chih Nan, and in some places Sze To On (the same person?) is listed as the writer. The storyline is simple enough at first, but it increases in tone and pace as events unfold.
Chen Kuan Tai is an excellent fighter, but this is not a martial arts film! If that’s all the viewer wants, skip this wonderful experience. There is action, to be sure, and some of it is quite savagely realistic. However, this is a movie, not a “kick-ass martial madness flick.” The action comes more as a part of life and the choices people make. There is much I could say about the plot, but I won’t. The viewer needs to experience this film from a fresh angle.
The cinematography by Yu Chi is beautiful, capturing the rays of the sun or an intimate moment as if the camera does not want to intrude.
Action director Tony Ching Siu-Tung had his hands full with the action!
I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful this film truly is. It might just change how you think about “action” films. This movie is a well-rounded treasure that everyone needs to see!
Recommendation: A Must See!!
JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 9/10
