cityonfire.com | Ungrateful Tink

	Ungrateful Tink "At first I thought it was interesting to have the exposition unfold in such an uncommon way, slowly realizing it wasn't, chalking it up to poor filmmaking." - Gwailo Ungrateful Tink (1999) Director: Francis Nam Zi-Way Producer: Tony Leung Hung-Wah Cast: Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Michael Tiu (Dai Yue), Lam Mei Jing, Mok Ga Yiu, Celia Sze (Lim Tsz), Nelson Cheung (Hok Yun), Simon Loui Yu-Yeung Running Time: 88 min. Plot: Brothers growing up together in the Sau Mau Ping ghetto finsd themselves involved in a web of revenge, misunderstandings, and betrayal when one of them becomes the witness to a drug deal. Reviews GWAILO'S REVIEW: "Who or what the hell is a Tink?", they asked. Gwailo just shrugged his shoulders. Where Ungrateful Tink fails primarily is in it's story. The concept attempted in this film is promising, but it's been done before. Yet another rascal on the rise/brothers on the opposite side of the law pic that goes through the motions with the best of them, burning itself on poor pacing and an exhausted story, which is contrived at best. Two childhood 'brothers', Whitehair, played by Michael Tiu (Street Angels, Haunted Karaoke) and Blackhair, played by Anthony Wong (pick a film), grow up on opposite sides of the law. Blackhair takes the high road and joins the RHKP and Whitehair dons the struggling rascal role. A difference in this story though, is both know the other place and don't really seem to mind the others position. They could care less. They both have problems of their own to worry about. Blackhair is a cop on the take with a gambling debt nearing the high end, a new wife, and possibilities of a family on the horizon. Whitehair is a small-timer who is desperately clinging to the bottom rungs of the triad ladder as he feebly tries to climb the ranks. Both face desperate problems of an unknown future. Handover allegory? A few years too late, but topical nonetheless. How will Blackhair provide for his family as he sinks deeper in debt? What will Whitehair do if he doesn't make it in the triads? Being a no good dirty little rascal, Whitehair's desperation leads to double-crossing and murder- a sure way to catch the attention of Dai-lo's around H.K.. Once accepted, he thinks who he is and won't stop his dirty deeds until he reaches the top, including taking out his bro Blackhair. About now you're pretty board and checking the time left on your DVD - don't worry - it's almost over. The film plods along like it has all the time in the world. It doesn't. For a rather short film, it takes it's sweet time, making it lumber. Another problem is the films structure. It consists of two separate stories that seldom cross. The viewer is left with head planted firmly in buttocks, not knowing what's going on for a good portion of the film. At first I thought it was interesting to have the exposition unfold in such an uncommon way, slowly realizing it wasn't, chalking it up to poor filmmaking. Joining Wong and Tiu are character actors Nelson Cheung Hok-yun (that bald, gay guy mostly relegated to low-budget fare) and Simon Lui (who's quickly closing in on Wong with his film output.) Prolific 'meager' budget director Tony Leung Hung-wah writes and produces the film giving the directors chair to first timer Francis Nam. An admirable first shot by Nam who shows style and class in the production, but just can't outrun the tired story. Most directors can't. GWAILO'S RATING: 3/10

Ungrateful Tink

"At first I thought it was interesting to have the exposition unfold in such an uncommon way, slowly realizing it wasn't, chalking it up to poor filmmaking."

- Gwailo

Ungrateful Tink (1999)

Director: Francis Nam Zi-Way

Producer: Tony Leung Hung-Wah

Cast: Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Michael Tiu (Dai Yue), Lam Mei Jing, Mok Ga Yiu, Celia Sze (Lim Tsz), Nelson Cheung (Hok Yun), Simon Loui Yu-Yeung

Running Time: 88 min.

Plot: Brothers growing up together in the Sau Mau Ping ghetto finsd themselves involved in a web of revenge, misunderstandings, and betrayal when one of them becomes the witness to a drug deal.

Reviews

GWAILO'S REVIEW: *"Who or what the hell is a Tink?", they asked. Gwailo just shrugged his shoulders.*

Where Ungrateful Tink fails primarily is in it's story. The concept attempted in this film is promising, but it's been done before. Yet another rascal on the rise/brothers on the opposite side of the law pic that goes through the motions with the best of them, burning itself on poor pacing and an exhausted story, which is contrived at best.

Two childhood 'brothers', Whitehair, played by Michael Tiu (Street Angels, Haunted Karaoke) and Blackhair, played by Anthony Wong (pick a film), grow up on opposite sides of the law. Blackhair takes the high road and joins the RHKP and Whitehair dons the struggling rascal role. A difference in this story though, is both know the other place and don't really seem to mind the others position. They could care less. They both have problems of their own to worry about. Blackhair is a cop on the take with a gambling debt nearing the high end, a new wife, and possibilities of a family on the horizon. Whitehair is a small-timer who is desperately clinging to the bottom rungs of the triad ladder as he feebly tries to climb the ranks. Both face desperate problems of an unknown future. Handover allegory? A few years too late, but topical nonetheless. How will Blackhair provide for his family as he sinks deeper in debt? What will Whitehair do if he doesn't make it in the triads? Being a no good dirty little rascal, Whitehair's desperation leads to double-crossing and murder- a sure way to catch the attention of Dai-lo's around H.K.. Once accepted, he thinks who he is and won't stop his dirty deeds until he reaches the top, including taking out his bro Blackhair.

About now you're pretty board and checking the time left on your DVD - don't worry - it's almost over. The film plods along like it has all the time in the world. It doesn't. For a rather short film, it takes it's sweet time, making it lumber. Another problem is the films structure. It consists of two separate stories that seldom cross. The viewer is left with head planted firmly in buttocks, not knowing what's going on for a good portion of the film. At first I thought it was interesting to have the exposition unfold in such an uncommon way, slowly realizing it wasn't, chalking it up to poor filmmaking.

Joining Wong and Tiu are character actors Nelson Cheung Hok-yun (that bald, gay guy mostly relegated to low-budget fare) and Simon Lui (who's quickly closing in on Wong with his film output.) Prolific 'meager' budget director Tony Leung Hung-wah writes and produces the film giving the directors chair to first timer Francis Nam. An admirable first shot by Nam who shows style and class in the production, but just can't outrun the tired story. Most directors can't.

GWAILO'S RATING: 3/10