Feel 100% (1996)

AKA: Feel 100 Percent

Director: Joe Ma Wai-Ho

Producer: Manfred Wong (Man Jun), Andrew Lau Wai-Keung

Cast: Dior Cheng Yee-Kin (Ekin Cheng), Eric Kot Man-Fai, Sammi Cheng Sau-Man, Gigi Leung Wing-Kay, Allen Ting Chi-Chun, Michelle Wong Man, Christine Ng Wing-Mei, Law Kar-Ying, William Tang Tat-Chi, Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu, Simon Lo Man-Kit, Matthew Chow Hoi-Kwong

Running Time: 97 min.

Plot: Three longtime friends support each other as they endure various relationships on the way to realizing who it is that each one truly loves.

Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com

ALEXANDER'S REVIEW:

Dear Ekin's Hair,

You've probably already been told this a million times but I really, really admire your work. You're definitely the most versatile performer in Hong Kong cinema (yes, more versatile than aging Jackie Chan's Hair!). (And just so you know, I'm not some crazed fan that tries to hurdle police barricades in Kowloon trying to score a hurried autograph or a blurry snapshot of your flowing locks. I, unlike those sluttish groupies, R-E-S-P-E-C-T your privacy.)

I consider myself a TRUE aficionado of your films. From your thrilling role in Legend of Speed to the ultra-hip Tokyo Raiders to the heart-melting tenderness you brought to Feel 100%, I've seen all of your movies (including your cameo in the dreadful The Avenging Fist...Stephen Fung's Hair has nothing on you!). What I admire most though is your consistency. You are ALWAYS lengthy, wavy and black (no gay Nic Tse Hair highlights for you!). You NEVER give in to demands to put your hair up like that has-been Andy Lau's Hair, your co-star in The Duel. Right on, Ekin's Hair! And you're so well suited for your co-star's head (although I genuinely believe you could shine just as brightly on, say, Daniel Wu's head as well).

Anyway, about Feel 100%, which is why I'm REALLY writing. (By the way, did you get my letter about your glistening performance in For Bad Boys Only? You NEVER reply to my letters, Ekin's Hair!). I think your co-stars did a fine job with a humorous yet very shallow story. I mean, how many two - guys - make - a - pact - to - not - fall - for - their - female - friend - yet - one - does - anyway - after - realizing - he's - really - been - in - love - with - her - all - along films have come out of Hong Kong in that past few years anyway? A hundred? But it's no fault of yours that the material sucks. Granted, there were a few funny bits, notably Ekin's fascination with an obscure French filmmaker and the grand finale involving a bizarre cast of characters attempting to set Ekin up one last time. Also, the Canto-pop soundtrack, featuring tunes by Ekin and Sammi Cheng, ROCKS. (Sammi's ballad near the end is one of the film's highlights).

And speaking of Sammi, I am EXTREMELY jealous of her. She's very pretty and sings really well. She repeatedly runs her fingers through you. (Oh, to be Sammi's fingers!) Anyway, I was so happy that she was your co-star instead of that skinny-ass psycho Cecilia Cheung. (What's UP with those eye-brows, anyway?) I've wanted to take a pair of scissors to her ever since she tried to bed Ekin in Second Time Around. Bitch.

Well, I hope you appear in more films like Feel 100%. It wasn't the greatest, but was ultimately endearing and it made me laugh a few times. Give my regards to Ekin, Sammi, Gigi Leung and that chubby guy who played your friend (y'know, the one who gets whacked in the head with a wrench, is stuffed into the trunk of a BMW and forced to have sex while duct-taped by a dominatrix who forces him to yell "Sailor Moon! Sailor Moon!" in English).

Anyway, I know you're incredibly busy, Ekin's Hair, but PLEASE try to find time to write back.

P.S. I'm going to check out the creatively named sequel, Feel 100% Once More. Hopefully the subtitles aren't WHITE like they were in Feel 100%. Not that it matters. I spent the entire film with my eyes locked on YOU, hottie!

ALEXANDER'S RATING: 7/10