Paper Marriage: Viewer Comments

Maggie Cheung's statuesque and commanding stage presence is clearly evident in this early movie done only 4 years after she stepped before the camera. It's noted for the famous mud wrestling scene which is a rather tragic affair and poor Maggie clearly feels the humiliation of it all. Yet, the story has more than this as she and Sammo struggle to survive under events both feel trapped in. Maggie does comedy well when needed and the tragic tale her character goes thru is touching. Sammo is a bit hard nosed and closed off when he discovers he must help her despite the fact he won't get any money as planned. In this he must learn to re-trust women after his wife (the real future Mrs. Sammo: Joyce Godenzi) runs off with another man and leaves Sammo with only bills and resentment. Gradually Maggie's persistence and the troubles they endure set up a bond between them which end with some great fights between Sammo and his arch villains in a shopping mall. This scene you can clearly see both he and Maggie enjoying themselves and I would've loved to see the out takes! Not quite one thumbs up but worth checking out to glimpse Ms. Cheung.