The Conman (DTS) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region All

Here Andy plays a card sharper sporting a John Waters moustache who takes cel calls from his suicidal wife with a "What? You haven't jumped yet?" attitude. He's the God of Gamblers (riffing on his role as Dagger), all grown up. Instead of supernatural card sense, Andy relies on an assortment of secret video cameras, insider information, and high-tech schemes to rake over mountains of money from his opponents at the table. However, while multi-tasking his meanness one night (ditching his mistress, insulting his wife, and ripping off an opponent) he crosses Bad Temper (Ben Ng, playing an angry wedge of brie) resulting in Andy's brother, Jack, losing his arm, his pregnant wife committing suicide, and Andy getting locked up for five years for murder. While that may not seem too stiff, it does turn Andy's hair white and makes his moustache fall out.

Chastened, and convinced his wife may still be alive, Andy comes out of jail and is greeted by Nick Cheung, assigned to escort him around. The two go on what amounts to a date, and wind up moving in together. And elaborate gambling scheme draws Andy back into the world of high-pressure card games and he goes up against Waise Lee (bald-headed for his simultaneous role in Milkyway's Running Out of Time) and Jack Gao (famed Taiwanese actor from Hou Hsiao-hsien's Goodbye South Goodbye and Ringo Lam's Full Alert).

Like all storytellers who appeal to the popular culture of the day (Shakespeare, Charles Dickens), Wong Jing is only comfortable when his movies exhibit a schizophrenic split between high art and low humor, classy performances and shallow caricature, giving each individual actor the opportunity to make something out of their screentime or not. And that's what keeps you watching: at the end of the day you know you're getting unadulterated essence of Andy, essence of Nick, essence - even - of Waise Lee because no one's bossing them around but each other. The director has no vision beyond a rough outline of the plot and notes on what could be funnier. Between those lines, the actors are finally free and freedom within marginal limits is what brings out the best in them.

Wong Jing films are resistant to criticism because they appeal to so many people, and why would a critic want to be resistant? Full of bad jokes, brain-bruising plot twists, and out-of-control performances Wong Jing films are dying to entertain you. If only you'll open your heart and let them in.

by Grady Hendrix