Verdict
Summary
Gorgeous is merely a footnote to Chan’s illustrious career, but it’s somewhat refreshing to see him in his prime doing something a little lighter and less physical.
Plot:
A young woman finds a message in a bottle and she travels to Hong Kong to find who wrote it, but instead finds herself mistaken for a mobster’s mistress.
Review:
Bu (Shu Qi) lives a simple life in Taiwan, and because she’s very pretty she has suitors, but when she finds a message in a bottle, she is inspired to go to Hong Kong to find the man who wrote it, hoping to find real love. When she gets there, she’s overwhelmed by the big city life, and she’s disappointed when she finds that the guy who wrote the message is gay and wrote the message for his lover. Instead of throwing her out on her ear, the guy introduces her to modeling, and on her first day on a photo shoot out at sea on a yacht, she saves another man who is being attacked by some henchman who are trying to beat him up. She swings by on a speedboat and rescues Chi-Ng (Jackie Chan), a wealthy stockbroker who has angered a very wealthy businessman, who has it out to humiliate and punish him for ruining the value of his business. Chi-Ng is charmed by Bu’s simple, somewhat ignorant approach to life, and he entertains her despite being a playboy and a guy who wouldn’t ordinarily mess around with someone as young and impressionable as Bu, but she charms him by being genuine. By happenstance, Bu is mistaken for a mobster’s mistress, which causes her to be chased around the city, and when Chi-Ng interferes, everyone is impressed by his prowess as a fighter. In the midst of all the fighting and mix-ups, Chi-Ng finds himself falling somewhat in love with the child-like Bu, who only has one hope: To find her match.
A lackadaisical romantic comedy with some action interludes to showcase star Jackie Chan, who was still in his prime here, Gorgeous is a bit silly at heart, relying on goofy comedy and pouty lipped star Qi, who is the film’s star. It’s unfortunate that the movie takes a teen style puppy love approach to romance because the movie could’ve had a more mature romantic angle, and it’s a little weird seeing star Chan, who was more than 20 years older than Qi, get involved with her on screen, as the script allows it. The film is at its best when there’s some fighting, and the film has four action scenes, two of which involve one-on-one fisticuffs between Chan and late Australian martial artist Brad Allan. Their two centerpiece fights are the highlights of the film. Gorgeous is merely a footnote to Chan’s illustrious career, but it’s somewhat refreshing to see him in his prime doing something a little lighter and less physical. From director Vincent Kok.
88 Films has just released a loaded Blu-ray edition of Gorgeous, and it comes with the 120 minute Hong Kong Cut, and the shorter version that came out abroad, which runs 99 minutes. There are three audio commentaries on the disc, and the 2K transfers sparkle. Bonus features are aplenty, including a double sides poster, a booklet, interviews, and much more.
