Lau sing yue

Some interesting trivia to share, especially for those who enjoyed the film.

This film is not the director's most outstanding, but is the product of a Hong Kong that was still suffering from the 1995 financial crisis in Asia. The film industry there hit rock bottom, and in 1998 the director joined a project where producers and investors of a film shared the financial risks to save costs, and where the actors took little or no compensation, in hope of reviving the film industry there. The Kid is first film born of this project.

According to the director, the film was inspired by Chaplin's comedy by the same name (The Kid). He recalls an encounter with a lonesome pregnant woman on a bus, and her sad expression contrasting with the coldness of the people around her touched his heart. Being inexperienced making comedies, he started off wanting to make one for a change, using Chaplin's film as a reference. However, despite his intentions, he ended up with a drama with with more sad than comedic elements, something he has proved to be more his style.

Now this is a film to watch: it's both sad and funny, and puts one in mind of those old-fashioned movies with Jimmy Stewart. Part "Bid Daddy", part "Harvey" and part "Kramer VS Kramer".

Leslie Cheung plays a stock broker who takes care of a kid after Maise (Qiqi) left him on his boat. Four years later, he's down-and-out, working temp jobs and living in a shabby penthouse. All he's really got is the kid, but that may all change when Maise comes back...

Marvelous performances by Leslie Cheung,the orphan boy he adopts and a wonderful supporting cast in a film that could have been directed by Frank Capra starring Jimmy Stewart. Terrific tribute to old time film making. Women and fathers in touch with their emotions will love it. The 4 year old who plays the title character is a screen natural and totally charming. Leslie Cheung adds another vivid, unforgettable portrayal to his 20+ years of starring roles. Enthusiastically recommended!