Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive

1989

Comedy / Crime

Plot summary


Uploaded by: FREEMAN

Director

Top cast

Dennis Dun Photo
Dennis Dun as Narrator
Victor Wong Photo
Victor Wong as Blind Man
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
782.66 MB
1280*766
English 2.0
NR
23.976 fps
1 hr 25 min
P/S 4 / 19
1.42 GB
1804*1080
English 2.0
NR
23.976 fps
1 hr 25 min
P/S 5 / 30

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by / 10

Reviewed by mjneu595 / 10

a failed experiment

Director Wayne Wang's return to modern Hong Kong (the Final Frontier at the edge of China) is a scattershot quest for cultural identity in the Wild Wild East, spiced with casual displays of scatology and copraphogy (illustrating the lengths to which traditional Chinese will go to maintain face). The ersatz plot line, in which a frustrated currier fails to deliver a briefcase to a mysterious crime lord, is little more than incohesive filler interrupting a series of mock-documentary encounters with various local characters, in episodes that might have been more effective if they were genuine. Scripted cinema verité is an oxymoron, and even with directorial assistance (from writer/star Nakasaka) Wang is too polite a filmmaker for this type of narrative deconstruction. Highlights include some striking photography and editing, and an exhilarating (if pointless) chase that finally captures that elusive spark of vitality missing from the rest of the film.

Reviewed by haildevilman9 / 10

Pure Weirdness

This was one bizarre flick. And yes, that foot chase was so long I was winded watching it. But anyone into "arty" films should definitely check it out. Some of the scenes remind one of the Mondo films from the '60's. This came out in America in that wave of NC-17 films. Wayne Wang is a director who clearly should be better known. The narrative of this film can be a little confusing. Also there are some graphic scenes involving bodily functions. Anyone who has been to Hong Kong might be able to relate slightly. I also enjoyed seeing the late Victor Wong in his brief scenes as a semi-tour guide. Try to catch it in a theater if possible. I own the video but I was able to see it at an art theater in Tokyo as well.

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