Chinese Odyssey 2002 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. 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.
Contents
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.
Princess Wushuang escaps the palace, disguised as a man, 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 tries 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.
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
Tony Leung Chiu-Wai – Li Yilong, a ne'er-do-well
Faye Wong – Princess Wushuang, the emperor's sister
Zhao Wei – Phoenix, Li Yilong's sister
Chang Chen – Zhengde Emperor
Athena Chu – Amour Amour
Rebecca Pan – the emperor's mother
Eric Kot – the governor / bully
Roy Cheung – Zuo Lengshan
Jeffrey Lau – Principal Chen, Li Yilong's former teacher
Ning Jing – Purple Afterglow, Li Yilong's ex-girlfriend
Jan Lamb – commentary (voice)
Chan Lung
Wong Wing-Ming
Zhong Hanhao
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was a success for Faye Wong.
Track list:
Intro (序曲) [1:04]
Out of the palace (出宮) [2:30]
Down to Jiangnan (下江南) [1:59] (vocals by Zhao Wei and Chang Chen)
Vicious mood (殺氣) [1:09]
The Large World is Smaller than Dust (天地之大小於塵埃) [1:31]
Xǐxīangféng (喜相逢; "Happy Gathering") [3:18] by Faye Wong and Tony Leung
Morning Dew (朝露) [2:35]
Cherishing the Body (善其身) [3:10]
Zuìyīchǎng (醉一場; "A Drunk Song") [2:24] by Faye Wong and Tony Leung
Happy Gathering Lalalalala (喜相逢啦啦啦啦啦) [3:16] (vocals by Zhao Wei and Chang Chen, "lalala" version of track #6)
Passing Glances (眼波流) [1:54]
Emotional Departure (離恨) [2:34]
The Peach Flower Oath (桃花為盟) [0:36]
Wind and Thunder on the Plains (平地有風雷) [0:31]
Magical Power of Love (愛有神奇力量) [1:23]
Fate Decided this Life (緣定今生) [3:20]
Drinking Alone (獨飲) [3:11]
Longing before the Shadows (觸影生情) [4:31]