The Eighth Happiness (1988) User Reviews

Non-stop fun.

[leighm · 9/10 · 6 August 1999]

While the plot of this movie is funny unto itself, the one true reason to see this film is the *incredible* performance by Chow Yun-Fat. You've seen him as the ruthless cop, the compassionate assassin, the toughened prison inmate. Now you can see him as " a sissy girl" (to quote the subtitles in the plot) - but it's all a sham to cover the fact he's a shameless womanizer. Well, it makes sense when you see the film.

Also included is one of the wildest spoofs of Chinese opera you'll ever see.

Funny from the opening credits ("The Blue Danube Waltz" with Chinese lyrics!) to the end of the closing credits. Obscene telephone calls, Chow Yun-Fat crossdressing, a sword-wielding mom and Cherie Cheung in a wild cameo role as a girl just wanting to have fun. What more could you want?

Super fun.

Classic Hong Kong family comedy!

[OllieSuave-007 · 8/10 · 30 November 2014]

This is a classic comedy from Hong Kong that is a great one for the entire family. Here, three brothers band together to try to be one big happy family: culinary chef Mr. Fong (Raymond Wong) goes through high and low to court Opera performer Wu Hsiu-Fang (Bobo Fung), Gigolo wanna-be "Handsome" Lung (Chow Yun-Fat) tries to juggle his life with multiple girlfriends and Yuppie San (Jacky Cheung) just wants to be happy with girlfriend Ying-Ying.

Action and drama star Chow Yun-Fat did a fantastic and hilarious performance as "Handsome" Lung, proving that he could act outside the norm. His on-screen chemistry with Carol 'Do Do' Cheng was spot-on and with Cherie Chung was comical. Much of the acting was great, humor and comedy were done tastefully and the plot has great momentum.

Throw in some Chinese opera spoofs, prank telephone calls, brothers ganging up on a bully, wild parties and a catchy theme song soundtrack sung by Jacky Cheung (in the theme of the Blue Danube waltz), this is one big fun family comedy with an all-star cast you don't want to miss!

Grade B+