AN INSPECTOR CALLS (浮华宴) (2015)

Genre: Comedy
Director: Raymond Wong, Herman Yau
Cast: Louis Koo, Eric Tsang, Teresa Mo, Hans Zhang, Lam Ka Tung, Chrissie Chau, Karena Ng, Ada Liu, Raymond Wong
Runtime: 1 hr 27 mins
Rating: PG (Some Sexual References)
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films & Scorpio East Pictures
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 5 March 2015

Synopsis: An unexpected inspector drops by a lavish party of a notable family in order to investigate the suicide of a pregnant girl. This breaks the joy and peace of the party which is meant to celebrate a couple's engagement. Every one claims that he does not know the girl. However, the inspector does find something suspicious there with the help of a diary book and a photo. Astonishing truth is gradually revealed - six of the noble family members are closely related to the girl’s death.

Movie Review:

Instead of sticking to his usual Lunar New Year formula (a star-studded cast + a silly, inconsequential plot), Raymond Wong and his Pegasus outfit decides to turn a 1945 acclaimed British stage play, “An Inspector Calls” into a movie for the New Year crowd.

For a start, you ought to applaud his effort to attempt something new but I doubt you can find anyone that can appreciate this lumbering piece of work.  

The rich, prestigious Kau family (Mr and Mrs Kau being played by Eric Tsang and Teresa Mo) is getting ready for an engagement party when a mysterious Inspector Karl (Louis Koo) barges in and accused the family of causing the death of a pregnant girl. Everyone from Mr Kau to his pampered daughter (Karena Ng) to his son (Gordon Lam) and his future son-in-law (Hans Zhang) is suspected of being involved in the crime. Is Inspector Karl telling the truth or is there a conspiracy behind to ruin the Kau family?    

The original play is a message about capitalism and socialism and more importantly a scathing critique of the exploitation by the rich. The story brings viewers through a series of fantasized narratives to unravel the mystery behind the tragic young lady’s fate. To be fair, the concept kept the viewers invested and eager for more revelations. Even the actress’ face is concealed throughout to keep the mystery going (she is revealed at the end though).

Regrettably this bravura attempt to turn a somber drama into a comedy by Raymond Wong’s scriber son, Edmond is lackluster and fills to the brim with weak cringing acting. Both directors, Raymond Wong and Herman Yau apparently treat the entire movie as a fluffy comic book adaptation that there’s no point appreciating the deeper messages meant to invoke your emotions. Let’s just say that the end product is nothing like the dark comedy which the filmmakers promised.

The dialogue is totally rib tickling free and people liked Eric Tsang and Pegasus’ regular Teresa Mo can be seen trying very hard to improvise the dialogue into something funnier. Gordon Lam obviously is miscast because he looks nothing or behave liked a spoilt brat. The same goes for Louis Koo. At the very least you need a competent actor to portray the exaggerated detective but he just come across as forced and unnatural. At this point, only a certain Stephen Chow comes to mind. Of all, only Raymond Wong’s kooky performances and Donnie Yen’s cameo are the best things to watch in this supposedly dark comedy. 

Conveniently, the theatric setting allows for bare backdrops, outrageous outfits and campy CG effects. Production values are serviceable on the whole and lensing by the late Joe Chan (Yau's frequent collaborator) is impressive given the obvious limitations. It’s mind-boggling why Raymond Wong decides on this material for a Lunar New Year title hence it doesn’t come as a surprise why An Inspector Calls bombed big time in the Mainland and Hong Kong. Did I mention it also meant to end abruptly and open-ended despite all the hoo-ha?   

Movie Rating:

(Neither funny nor clever, you can downright ignore An Inspector Calls)

Review by Linus Tee