Chinese Odyssey 2002


Chinese Odyssey 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, with virtually the same characters. 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.
Faye Wong is cast as a runaway princess who is dressed as a man, a disguise 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, of course, cannot marry another woman and tried 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.
All ends well, however. 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

The soundtrack was a success for Faye Wong.
Track list:
  1. Intro
  2. Out of the palace
  3. Down to Jiangnan
  4. Vicious mood
  5. The Large World is Smaller than Dust
  6. Xǐxīangféng by Faye Wong and Tony Leung
  7. Morning Dew
  8. Cherishing the Body
  9. Zuìyīchǎng by Faye Wong and Tony Leung
  10. Happy Gathering Lalalalala
  11. Passing Glances
  12. Emotional Departure
  13. The Peach Flower Oath
  14. Wind and Thunder on the Plains
  15. Magical Power of Love
  16. Fate Decided this Life
  17. Drinking Alone
  18. Longing before the Shadows
  19. Tiānxià Wúshuāng Tiānla Dìla by Faye Wong and Tony Leung
  20. Tiānxià Wúshuāng Nàgèla Xiǎngshuō Lalala by Zhao Wei and Chang Chen
  21. Here's You; Here's Me
  22. The World is Great
  23. Love will not Die
  24. Like the Previous Dust
  25. No Turning Back
  26. Happy Reunion under the Spring Flowers
  27. Tinha Mouseung Tinla Deila by Faye Wong and Tony Leung

    Awards