Movie Review: Turning Point/Laughing Gor之變節

It's easy for me to go berserk about a bad movie; too many recent films have been 'spleen Viagra.' But I realized I don't go out of my way to write positive reviews, and I should. So...

Turning Point/Laughing Gor之變節is a TVB/Shaw Bros. production taken from a TV series (as far as I can tell).

Shaw Brothers?

Directed by Herman Yau?

Anthony Wong?

Francis Ng?

Eric Tsang?

Where do I sit?

This film is probably not a Golden Horse contender, but it's probably not intendedto be, either.

It doesn't needto be.

This film is an old t-shirt that's conformed itself to you through repeated wearing. It's comfortable and worn-in. It feels utterly familiar.

Turning Point is a story about an undercover cop.

Who is also an undercover triad.

Who may be betrayed by the cops.

Or the triads.

He's not sure what he should do.He's not surewhich side to choose.

People want to kill him.

His girlfriend loves him.

She's a university student, a 'good' girl.

She doesn't know he's a cop.

Sound familiar? It should.

Hardly new ground. A well-trodden path, to be sure.

But if the road is now new, then all that remains is to observe the footwork of those walking the path. And that's where Turning Point manages to pleasantly surprise.

The supporting cast does its job remarkably well here. The characters have some depth and believability, to the extent that these actors who are so familiar to us can, at times, transcend our awareness of them as actors.

Francis Ng gets the biggest nod, because his character has the greatest change. Ng carries it off convincingly, managing not only to change himself but the audience's perception of him.

Anthony Wong puts in a restrained effort that is unfortunately eclipsed at times by his wardrobe and makeup. As the film progresses, he begins wearing more and more women's makeup and clothing. It goes unexplained (maybe the TV show makes it clear), and it becomes hard to take him seriously in lip gloss.

The story is predictable, the ending China-friendly, and the film offers no real surprises.All that distinguishes it from the rest of the genre is its year of release.

But I would still recommend it because it's not a bad film at all. It's entertaining, fun, familiar and well-made. It reminds you of the 'good old days' while offering some new twists. If I say it's good enough, the emphasis should be on good. Go see it.