TEMPORARY FAMILY (临时同居) (2014)

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: Cheuk Wan Chi
Cast: Nick Cheung, Sammi Cheng, Angelababy, Oho, Dayo Wong, Jiang Wu, Myolie Wu, He Sui, Jacky Cheung, Ivana Wong, Fruit Chan, Regina Ip Lau Suk Yee
RunTime: 1 hr 40 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Sexual References)
Released By: Shaw
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 21 August 2014

Synopsis: Real estate agent Hong Siu Lung (Nick Cheung) has been dumped by his fiancé. The reason? His house is too small. Determined to win his fiancé back, Hong Siu Lung buys a cheap penthouse, intending to resell it for a high price in a year’s time. Joining him in the deal are wealthy divorcee Kam Fung (Sammi Cheng), stepdaughter Ah Hak (Angelababy), and Mainland rich kid Very (Oho). But when estate prices plummet, these most unlikely of partners are forced to live together.

Movie Review:

Hong Kong actor Nick Cheung has come a long way. You know the actor for his serious roles in recent dramas like The Stool Pigeon (2010), Nightfall (2012) and That Demon Within (2014). And we haven’t even mentioned that to die for body which the 49 year old trained to get in shape for his role in Unbeatable (2013). The dedication to acting has gotten the ex police officer several awards. But did you know that the actor, who is married to Hong Kongactress Esther Kwan, had his “roots” in slapstick comedy?

Yup, older viewers would know him Wong Jing directed or produced movies like Prince Charming, The Conmen in Vegas and My Name is Nobody. One of our favourite performances has to be Cheung’s spoof of singer Leon Lai’s ridiculously hilarious song “Sugar in the Marmalade” in The Tricky Master. You have to see it for yourself on YouTube to believe us. After a less than impressive performance in Hungry Ghost Ritual (Cheung took on the role of a director for the first time, and his turn as a brooding man who returns to a haunted getai was nothing groundbreaking), he returns to the big screen with this very commercial work directed by new director Cheuk Wan Chi.

Cheung plays Lung, a property agent told by his air stewardess girlfriend that she will only marry him if they can live as a couple in a 1000 square feet flat within a year of his having proposed to her. In desperation, he concocts a scheme that sees him become co-owner of a luxury penthouse from which he hopes to turn a quick profit. Of the property's three other co-owners, there is a working-class girl who decides to be part of the deal because she trusts Lung, the closest thing to a father in her life. There is a gullible rich mainland intern of Lung's, eager to show his wealthy dad that he can make money too. Lastly there is an unhappy recent divorcee who Lung turned from potential client into fellow property speculator. The four end up having to live as a temporary family – hence the movie title.

There is comedy and drama in this 100 minute movie from Cheuk, who is known for her screenplays like Merry Go Round (2002), 20 30 40 (2004) and Exodus (2007). She may have exaggerated the property craze in Hong Kongto a large extent, but therein lies the reflection of how the urbanised society is obsessed with owning a space, whether or not it serves the fundamental purpose of providing a home for the people living under its roof. Cheuk’s strength shows in her thoughtful script – you’ll grasp many of the film’s quotable quotes which will make you think about your approach to living life.

The film clearly wants to be a commercial flick, with its side jokes (without giving too much away, let’s just say the stray pubic hair joke made us guffaw quite a bit), sub plots (each of the four tenants has a back story to tell) and celebrity cameos. Watch out for Jacky Cheung, Ivana Wong, Dayo Wong, Myolie Wu, Fruit Chan and Hong Kongpolitician Regina Ip playing herself. These may be gimmicks which cause distractions to audiences who are hell bent on wanting to focus on the plot, but the filmmakers obviously thought otherwise. It is also evident that the production sold to Mainland China (let’s face it, that’s where the market is), with participation from acclaimed actor Jiang Wu and the good looking Oho, who takes on the rather meaty role of the rich man’s son who bunks in with the movie’s protagonists.

Leading man Cheung ditches his all too serious persona to play a likeable property agent in the movie, and his performance is surprisingly matched up by Angelababy who portrays the street wise kid who may know a thing or two more in life than Lung, whom she looks up to. The starlet may not have impressed us much in her previous movies (The First Time, Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon), but her performance here is grounded and pleasing. Rounding up the ensemble cast is Sammi Cheng, who has it easy with her character who still harbours hopes of reuniting with her husband of 10 years for whom she previously had sacrificed much. Yup, it’s a role she can easily play, considering her past performances in Needing You (2000), My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (2002) and Romancing in Thin Air (2012), but you have to admit she does it well.

The movie may not carry a serious tone, but it’s an entertaining affair that makes you think and reflect about what life has in store as we continue with our journey. 

Movie Rating:

(A thoughtful script, coupled with a blend of comedy and drama makes this commercial flick highly enjoyable)

Review by John Li