The Magic Touch (film)

The Magic Touch

Film poster
Traditional 神算
Simplified 神算
Mandarin Shén Suàn
Cantonese San4 Syun3
Directed by Michael Hui
Produced by Michael Hui
Screenplay by Michael Hui
Dayo Wong
Story by Michael Hui
Starring Michael Hui
Leon Lai
Ricky Hui
Winnie Lau
Sunny Fang
Music by Tats Lau
Cinematography Herman Yau
Edited by Teddy Chan
Production
company
Hui's Film Production
Topping Time Films
Distributed by Newport Entertainment
Release dates
24 January 1992 (1992-01-24)
Country Hong Kong
Language Cantonese
Box office HK$36,399,307

The Magic Touch is a 1992 Hong Kong comedy film written, produced and directed by Michael Hui, and stars Hui himself alongside Leon Lai.

Plot

Hui Wai-kuk (Michael Hui) tells people's fortunes by feeling their bones. In reality, he is a scam who is able to read minds of others because he has gathered information about them in advance; he is able to make a lot of money. The wife of Commissioner David Ho (Philip Chan) of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is suspicious that her husband is cheating on her. Hui tells Mrs. Ho the name of the mistress. She then scolds Ho in his office.

Ho sends junior assessor Yau Ho-kei (Leon Lai) to investigate Hui's income. Yau does not work seriously, but he wants to stand out. During the investigation, Hui sustains a brain injury causing his coma. After he wakes up, he discovers that he has gained super abilities, being able to feel people's bones and see their future.

At this time, the IRD is investigating businessman Hung Sam (Sunny Fang) for tax evasion, but the case is progressing slowly. Yau arranges for Hui to get close to Hui for a chance "touch" to find out where Hung's accounting book is hidden.

At first, Hung thought Hui and Yau were gay and avoided them at all costs. But after discovering that Hui is a fortune teller, he hires the two, greatly trusts them, and reveals to them about his drug business. Yau then reports information about Hung's drug business to Commissioner Ho. The case is cracked, Yau is then promoted to investigation superintendent and Hui, having assisted in the case, does not have to pay the tax that he owed for many years.

Cast

Theme song

Reception

Critical

Andrew Saroch of Far East Films rated the film 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "The Magic Touch features a constantly watchable narrative and a number of hilarious scenes; foremost among these is Hui's attempts to feel the villain's knuckles in a number of different and highly amusing situations."[1]

Box office

The film grossed HK$36,399,307 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical frun from 24 January to 19 February 1992 in Hong Kong.[2] It remains as Michael Hui's highest grossing film in his career.[3]

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, November 12, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.