He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father: Quick Takes

Tony Leung Chiu-Wai plays the über bad son Chor Yuen who after lashing out against his father (Tony Leung Ka-Fai in mediocre old age make-up) finds out he's fallen into a coma after fighting a robber. Feeling hate to the degree that he even has sex with a nurse in the hospital, Chor soon finds himself in front of a wishing hole for kids that he manages to fall into only to wake up in the 60s! Here he finds his parents (mom being played by Carina Lau who is also in a fat suit in the present scenes) living on Memory lane, all thin and beautiful and thus begins the journey towards appreciating his parents and ancestors...

A box-office hit from UFO, providing overly narrated, warm, suitable, star-filled family entertainment without taking as much as a risk in the process. Which is kind of why He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father! doesn't feel special but in a weird way irresistible. Back To The Future did the whole scenario much better and while the Peter Chan/Lee Chi-Ngai helmed local flick does travel sufficiently, it does feel somewhat closer to heart of its audience. Which isn't a bad thing and certainly UFO's intention to the T. But watching the parade of stars conquer issues of love for parents, love for your girl, your children, overcoming debts, gambling habits while at later points break out into sing and dance and doing a bit of dress-up as Indians, the product becomes rather infectious. Anita Yuen, Lawrence Cheng, Anita Lee, the real Chor Yuen, Valerie Chow, Michael Chow, Jacob Cheung and Waise Lee also appear.