Chinese Odyssey 2002 is a 2002 Hong Kong mo lei tau musical film written and directed by Jeffrey Lau and produced by Wong Kar-wai. It stars Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Faye Wong, Zhao Wei and Chang Chen. It is a parody of the 1959 Huangmei opera film The Kingdom and the Beauty. It was released during the Chinese New Year, following the practice of the Hong Kong movie industry to boost comedy ticket sales during the holiday season.
Plot The film is set in Ming Dynasty, China. Li Yilong is the town bully, known for his boorish manners and reckless attitude which have endeared him to no one, save his sister Feng who has a curious penchant for cross-dressing. It is apparent early on that both these siblings are such misfits they have virtually no prospect of marriage.
Princess Wushuang escaps the palace, disguised as a man, which fools both Long and Feng. Long immediately decides that he likes his new-found friend so much that he will entrust his sister's hand in marriage to "him". The princess tries to fend off Long's suggestions of a match; but also, she is attracted to Long.
Emperor Zheng De also leaves his palace temporarily to search for his missing sister. He dresses like a commoner and by a twist of fate meets Feng. He is smitten with Feng, and begins to court her, while keeping his imperial identity secret from her. His motives for leaving the palace also included the fact that he is unhappy and lonely at court and wants to escape the smothering influence of the Empress Dowager, his mother, who plays a dictatorial role in the actions of her son. A convoy of imperial guards try to protect him while he is out in town and bring the Emperor back to the palace, but unsuccessfully.
The Princess is also assisted by her "fairy godmother" in marrying her match. The Empress Dowager hears of her wayward children and storms Long's house, where her children are holed up, only to hear that they wish to marry two commoners with unwholesome and eccentric tendencies. The Emperor is adamant about marrying Feng and the Empress Dowager relents, but Long is unable to pass a "ring test" to prove he is the destined one and the Empress Dowager forbids his marriage to her daughter.
After a separation, Long is enlightened by the "fairy godmother" and passes the "ring test". He is reunited with the Princess, the Empress Dowager accepts him, and happiness reigns.
Cast Tony Leung Chiu-Wai – Li Yilong, a ne'er-do-well Faye Wong – Princess Wushuang, the emperor's sister Zhao Wei – Phoenix, Li Yilong's sister Chang Chen – Zhengde Emperor Athena Chu – Amour Amour Rebecca Pan – the emperor's mother Eric Kot – the governor / bully Roy Cheung – Zuo Lengshan Jeffrey Lau – Principal Chen, Li Yilong's former teacher Ning Jing – Purple Afterglow, Li Yilong's ex-girlfriend Jan Lamb – commentary (voice) Chan Lung Wong Wing-Ming Zhong Hanhao
Soundtrack The soundtrack was a success for Faye Wong.Stan Jeffries Encyclopedia of world pop music, 1980–2001 2003 p225 "In May 2002 Wong won a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling woman singer of Cantonese music, ... Shortly after a new album of orchestrated ballads, Chinese Odyssey, was released and kept Wong at the top of the Asian pop charts. Her career has encompassed more than 20 albums as she continues to record material for future release."
Track list: Intro () [1:04] Out of the palace () [2:30] Down to Jiangnan () [1:59] (vocals by Zhao Wei and Chang Chen) Vicious mood () [1:09] The Large World is Smaller than Dust () [1:31] Xǐxīangféng (喜相逢; "Happy Gathering") [3:18] by Faye Wong and Tony Leung Morning Dew () [2:35] Cherishing the Body () [3:10] Zuìyīchǎng (醉一場; "A Drunk Song") [2:24] by Faye Wong and Tony Leung Happy Gathering Lalalalala () [3:16] (vocals by Zhao Wei and Chang Chen, "lalala" version of track #6) Passing Glances () [1:54] Emotional Departure () [2:34] The Peach Flower Oath () [0:36] Wind and Thunder on the Plains () [0:31] Magical Power of Love () [1:23] Fate Decided this Life () [3:20] Drinking Alone () [3:11] Longing before the Shadows () [4:31] Tiānxià Wúshuāng Tiānla Dìla () [2:14] by Faye Wong and Tony Leung Tiānxià Wúshuāng Nàgèla Xiǎngshuō Lalala () [2:20] by Zhao Wei and Chang Chen (spoof of track #19) Here's You; Here's Me () [1:35] The World is Great () [3:10] Love will not Die () [3:31] Like the Previous Dust () [3:27] No Turning Back () [2:54] Happy Reunion under the Spring Flowers () [1:59] (vocals by Zhao Wei and Chang Chen) Tinha Mouseung Tinla Deila () [2:15] by Faye Wong and Tony Leung (Cantonese version of track #19)
Accolades OrganisationYearCategoryRecipientResult39th Golden Horse Awards2002Best Art DirectionBest Costume DesignBest Supporting ActressZhao Wei22nd Annual Hong Kong Film Awards2003Best Art DirectionTony Au Ting-PingBest Costume DesignWilliam Cheung Suk PingBest ActressFaye WongBest Original Film Score Frankie Chan and Roel A. Garcia9th Annual Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards2002Best PictureBest ActressFaye Wong
See also Hong Kong in films
References
External links
Entry at lovehkfilm.com Movie website (Taiwan, in Chinese)