The Diary of a Big Man (1988) User Reviews

Funny and enjoyable romantic comedy...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 13 January 2022]

I had the opportunity to sit down here in 2022 and watch the 1988 romantic comedy "Dai cheung foo yat gei" (aka "The Diary of a Big Man"). I hadn't even heard about this movie prior to sitting down to watch it, so I wasn't sure what I was in for here. But it being a Hong Kong movie that I hadn't already seen was more than sufficient to make me watch it.

And I have to say that writers Philip Cheng and Man Fai Ng actually did manage to transcend the usual late 1980s stereotypical formula of romantic comedies that was spewed out from the Hong Kong cinema. The storyline was funny and rather well-written. And running at almost an hour and a half, there wasn't a single dull moment throughout the course of the movie.

There were a good amount of laughs and funny situations throughout the course of "Dai cheung foo yat gei".

The movie is made all the more watchable and enjoyable by the performances of Chow Yun-Fat, Joey Wang and Sally Yeh. There was a good all-round performance from the entire cast, and the movie also have the likes of Fui-On Shing and Kent Cheng on the cast list.

If you enjoy the romantic comedies from the late 1980s and early 1990s that came out of Hong Kong, then you most certainly will also enjoy the 1988 movie from director Yuen Chor.

My rating of "Dai cheung foo yat gei" lands on a six out of ten stars.

This is a good example of a Chow Yun Fat comedy

[tcboxer · 27 April 2000]

After movie greats like the Killer, and The Replacement Killers , many people feel that chow Yun Fat is only a "Action Star". Well this is one of the movies that proves them wrong. It's a delightful story of a wealthy man who falls in love with two women. The thing that makes Chow so great in a comedy is his wonderful facial expressions. The ending is so-so, but the movie is well worth watching, especially if you want to see the "many faces" of Chow Yun Fat

A charming Chow-Yun Fat comedy.

[OllieSuave-007 · 9/10 · 24 November 2014]

Chow Yun-Fat might be best known as the gun-totting Mark Gor in the "A Better Tomorrow" movie series in Hong Kong, or Captain Sao Feng in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Master Li Mu Bai in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Western audiences. Despite his reputation as an iconic action star, Chow has stated in has done lots of comedy in Hong Kong and this film is a great example. He plays Chow Chen-fat who falls in love with two women, Sally and Joey (played by Sally Yeh and Joey Wang) and, not preferring one over the other, decides to marry both without the other one knowing. So, with the help of his friend Chi Hung (Waise Lee), he goes through great lengths to spend time with both women.

It is extremely hilarious seeing Chow's tactics and facial expressions as he essentially tries to be at two places (his two homes for each of his wives) at the same time, waking in the middle of the night to go to his other house, eating two dinners cooked for him by his wives, trying to make it to two dates, etc. With some light slapstick humor and physical comedy, you'll great one entertaining moment after the other in this fast-paced film. You'll be intrigued to find out how Chow will worm his way through this double relationship, especially when both Sally and Joey later meet each other!

You will also love all the great acting and character developments and the charming musical number in the middle of the movie - sung by Chow, Sally and Joey. It's a must-see Hong Kong comedy!

Grade A

Outstandingly Funny HK Classic!!

[Movie-Misfit · 10/10 · 25 November 2019]

I've been wanting to see this Chow Yun Fat comedy for years and years, and now on my first amazing trip to Hong Kong and riddled with jetlag, I managed to catch it on HK Netflix!!

And the wait was well worth it..!

I'm sure the neighbouring rooms in my hotel didn't appreciate me laughing out loud for 90 minutes at 4am, but I just couldn't help it - Diary Of A Big Man is insanely hilarious, original, awkward and highly entertaining in every way.

Superstar and all round incredible guy Chow Yun Fat joins forces again with Waise Lee 2 years after their time together on the incredible A Better Tomorrow (1986) with Lee playing the suffering friend of Chow's who tries his hardest to save his friend from being caught out being married to Sally Yeh and Joey Wong!

Seeing both of their performances in this compared to that of ABT just shows what incredible actors they really are, delivering perfect comic timing with Chow Yun Fat just owning the whole show as a man you shouldn't like, but can't help in doing so.

As the film moves on, every situation gets (comically) worse intercut with Chow himself narrating his life and plans to us the audience. Throw in a couple of hilarious musical numbers and of course the big reveal when the wives catch on to his antics, and you are left with one of the funniest films (I've) ever seen that deserves a place among classics such as The Pink Panther, Young Frankenstein etc!!

Love it...

A fine comedy from Hong Kong

[Nen_Master357 · 10/10 · 19 April 2022]

This 1988 movie shows that Chow Yuen Fat isn't just an action hero but could also act in comedy films. The actor does an outstanding job essaying the role of a stock broker who happens to have two wives. From this premise, zany and hilarious situations arise from which the film's protagonist tries to extricate himself (to keep his wives from knowing about his double marriage).

It also helps that in addition to Chow Yuen's skillful command of the silver screen, his costars are equally endearing and pleasant. The actresses playing Chow Yuen's wives in the film are adorable and classy, easily complementing the actor's over the top performance. Chow Yuen is almost always hyper energetic in every scene. Indeed, the guy seems to be literally fueled by adrenaline.

This is easily one of the actor's best comedy leading roles along with God Of Gamblers.