Movie Title: 淪落人 (Still Human)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9/10)
Year: 2018
It has been a while since Hong Kong movie industry comes up with an emotional and heart warming movie. Lead by one of the most controversial actor, Anthony Wong Chau Sang who played a paralyzed construction worker, Leung Cheong Wing and his daily life with Filipino maid Evelyn Santos (Crisel Consunji).
The story’s plot is clear and simple. It started off building the character of Cheong Wing, an ex-construction worker ♂️ who got injured and paralyzed due to an accident on site, as such he would need help from a helper as he stays alone after he got a divorce and his ex-wife and son moved to overseas.
Love how Anthony manage to portray and brings the character to live, giving the character a grumpy, harsh and sharp tongued on the out side but soft, kind and emphatic on the inside. The story also unfolds nicely and to see the transition of their employer and employee relationship that is full of doubts, disagreement and crude to trustworthy, encouraging, kind and sincere.
For a first timer, Crisel Consunji’s acting is also solid. She manages to bring herself into the emotions of Evelyn’s character and nailed its performance perfectly. While Sam Lee’s performance as Cheong Wing co-worker and good friend Cheung Fai was notable despite lesser screen time. His appearance does provide a breathe of fresh air to the movie, giving users some light and hope in humanity.
It is refreshing to see Anthony Wong act again as he was largely banned and shut out of filming opportunities do to his vocal stance and support for the pro-democracy protesters during the Umbrella movement back in 2014. Still Human is worth the watch, especially if you want to catch the real day to day life and struggles of the lower tier Hong Konger which may soon change or disappear.