Michael Hui, an unlimited talent

The trailer for Security Unlimited does not do the film justice. This 1981 hit is, in my opinion, the funniest film to have ever come out of Hong Kong. The comedic pace holds up today (unlike, say, a 1984 episode of the Billy T. James show), Hui’s writing is so tied to working-class Hong Kong that I can’t even begin figuring out how some lines would be translated, and he makes the best of the three lead actors (himself, and two of his brothers). The “unseen brother”, Stanley, co-produces. The problem is: if you don’t understand Cantonese, this film does not work!
   With hindsight, there is no surprise that Michael Hui is regarded as a cinematic genius in my home town, and someone who was pivotal in changing the face of Hong Kong cinema. In fact, some give him credit for kickstarting the industry and fighting back a wave of Mandarin-language films. These days, he hosts the local Deal or No Deal, which, I am sure, is superior thanks to his wit.