Eight Taels of Gold (1989) (Blu-ray) (Digitally Remastered) (Hong Kong Version) Blu-ray Region All

The film starts with Slim, Hung's character, driving his taxi on the crazy streets of New York. We then join him as he returns to China for the first time in thirteen years with his eight taels of gold designed to impress his waiting family whilst hiding his lack of success as an immigrant. Once back at his parent's place, he finds them gone and returned to their home village, Toi Shan, because his sister is pregnant with her second child in defiance of the "one child per family" policy. He arranges to travel back home with a childhood friend (Sylvia Chang) whom he christened "Odds-and-Ends", and who is returning to the village to marry another emigré from America. Once home, Slim is greeted as the prodigal son and his mum starts matchmaking unaware that he has fallen for another.

It's not a surprise that Hung's acting extends to subtle dramas like this one as he has quite often provided the emotional core and dramatic centres of many of his action comedies. Painful sincerity and awkwardness are child's play to him, and in a fully dramatic piece such as this one, he keeps his performance measured and intimate which means that he anchors the pathos of the film. His character ran away from home during the excesses of the Cultural Revolution, but he did not find the land of promise in the USA, and now returning to a family he has neglected brings this home forcefully to him.

Slim's growing affection for his childhood friend begins to articulate itself in a growing desire to combat her plan of leaving China by pouring cold water on the American dream, and owning up to his own failure there. He learns that his father has covered up his poor communication over the years by writing letters to his mother on Slim's behalf and that the dreadful words he left ringing in his sister's ears were forgiven soon after he left. Rediscovering his home again, and falling for Odds-and-Ends, leads him to consider that time has left him behind.

Subtly critical of the five year plans, the dictatorial policies and the nonsense of political control in the remote villages of China, this film is not a flag waving piece but more an appreciation of the real people who make up Slim's family and his fellow villagers. In Slim's case, America has left him with very little money and the status of an illegal immigrant, and he has come to learn that this is no better than the land he returns to. The geo-political world is very much part of his family's lives, but they endure and survive despite the vicissitudes of those in charge. Ultimately, Slim realises that his efforts to get ahead have ironically caused him to miss out on his hearts desire.

Eight Taels of Gold is filled with superb cinematography that captures the beauty of this homeland whilst creating some spectacular compositions to reflect the characters. One particularly miraculous shot captures Odds and Ends sad and alone with the night light glistening off the lake beside her and casting reflective shadows around her. There is a slight humour throughout but this is an earnest drama that captures great sadness courtesy of Sammo's fine turn and the fine cast around him. In the end, Cheung's film is touching and a humane appreciation, made with great skill and real warmth.

by John White - DVD Times