Jing yi wui long

The Sparring Partner (2022)

Ambitious HK courtroom drama about a real life murder case. Back in 2013, skillful manipulator Henry Cheung murdered and dismembered his parents with the help of a dim-witted accomplice named Angus Tong.

The film's main source of intrigue stems from Cheung and Tong's relationship, and from Tong's involvement in the crime. In what capacity was he responsible for the murders, and was he simply a victim of Cheung's manipulation or more than that? All this and more is discussed throughout the film. We're presented facts through courtroom scenes and jury meetings, but there are numerous flashbacks and fantasy scenes as well, mostly based around Cheung. As the film progresses, questions start to arise around Tong and his presence becomes more prominent. New details are revealed and perspectives presented.

However, all this wasn't quite as involving as I was hoping it would be. I felt rather disconnected from everything onscreen, perhaps as it was intended, but I felt it was detrimental to the film's quality. I believe the runtime was too long (2 hrs and 17 mins) and, while the opening was gripping, the rest wasn't that great. Don't get me wrong, the story is sufficiently thought-provoking and I wasn't bored in any sense of that word. The constant jumping through different perspectives, along with a few false notes (like the aforementioned fantasy scenes, or gory mutilations that felt a bit out of place) prevented me from totally immersing myself into the story. As a result, I couldn't appreciate everything the film does right, and there's quite a lot of that.

I would recommend the film to people who appreciate courtroom dramas, as it definitely checks all the boxes in the genre while being more ambitious than an average entry. However, be prepared for its imposing length and don't be surprised if it starts feeling stretched too thin.

The Sparring Partner is a 2022 Hong Kong crime drama film directed by Ho Cheuk-tin and starring Yeung Wai-lun, Mak Pui-tung, and Michael Chow. The film is based on the true story of Henry Cheung and Angus Tse, who were convicted of murdering Cheung's parents in 2013.

The film is set in Hong Kong and follows the trial of Cheung and Tse. The film is told from the perspective of the jurors, who are tasked with deciding the fate of the two men. The film is a slow-paced and deliberate legal drama that focuses on the complex legal arguments and the moral dilemmas that the jurors face.

The film is well-acted and well-directed, but it is ultimately a very ordinary court drama. There is nothing special about the film that sets it apart from other films of its genre. The film is not particularly suspenseful or exciting, and it does not offer any new insights into the criminal justice system.

If you are looking for a gripping legal drama, then The Sparring Partner is not the film for you. However, if you are looking for a well-made and well-acted film that tells a true story, then The Sparring Partner may be worth watching.

Overall, I would give The Sparring Partner a 6 out of 10. It is a well-made and well-acted film, but it is ultimately a very ordinary court drama.

The film examines in great detail not only the gruesome double murder but also the trial and the judicial process. The film asks the question whether or not the legal system can truly deliver justice under extenuating circumstances and how regular people fill in the gaps.

Almost all actors play their parts perfectly. The defendants are portrayed as a cold blooded mastermind and a bumbling clueless accomplice respectively and both actors become their roles. Yeung Wai Lun's cold stare never changes through the whole movie while Mak Pui Tung always seems to be on the verge of mental collapse without it seeming fake or over the top.

The lawyers all sound and act like the real deal, special mention goes to Lam Hoi Fung who delivers a humorous performance as an amoral and apathetic criminal lawyer who couldn't care less about his client.

The family members of the defendants all carry great emotional weight and provoke strong feelings of sympathy and despair from the audience. Xiena Chong and Chu Pak Him do quite a bit for two small roles and give it their all, ending with brief but memorable appearances. Harriet Yeung gives an absolutely heartbreaking performance as the sister of the second defendant, making one believe that she was genuinely breaking down on the stand.

The jury scenes are terribly hard to sit through, it appears the director/screenwriter decided the audience to be intellectual children and so decided to turn every juror into a walking stereotype who slowly explains every little political implication out loud. The main exception to this is Kiki Cheung whose character is rather well rounded and relatable as a person at the same time.

The two defendants are disturbing not only because of their gruesome acts but also what they represent as gross exaggerations of everyday people.

Overall a very well made and intricate courtroom drama which prevails despite the mind numbingly patronizing and condescending jury scenes. Hope to see more of this amazing cast and crew do more work in the future.

Based on a rather shocking true story from Hong Kong, this is quite an intriguing depiction of the arrest and trial of Henry Chung (Yeung Wai Lun) for the brutal murder and dismemberment of his parents. He is pretty up-front about his guilt and the trial seems a bit of a fait-accompli. The gist of the film, though, centres on the involvement of his accomplice Angus Tong (Man Pui-tung). Now here is a character that has the IQ of a teabag, is overweight and generally comes across as infantile and incapable of taking responsibility for himself. Was he involved at all, and if so - in what capacity? That capacity issue is what makes this courtroom drama stand out. The performance from Man Pui-tung is superb. The depiction (illustrated via flashback) of his rather psychologically brutal interrogation; his constant incoherent mumbling and bumbling; the conflicting medical and psychological reports of his competencies - and all under the gaze of a jury made up of nine ordinary citizens with the prejudices and priorities of nine normal folks is well worked by Cheuk Tin Ho to create a genuine sense of our involvement in the future of this young man. Was he guilty or not? What might I have decided based on the evidence? Is there even any real evidence against him or is he just an easy target for the pursuing constabulary? It is too long, and takes a while to build up steam, but once it gets going it is an interesting character study - not just of the two accused, but of the jury, the police and of the judicial system that provides the framework for this maelstrom of advice, expertise, procedure and the genuine evil emanating from the effective Yeung Wai-lun. The imagery, especially amidst the wig-wearing scenario of the only recently reintegrated Chinese courtroom where the judge is still referred to as "my Lord" is suitably anachronistic too, and invites us to make or own assessments of the people and the process in quite a sophisticated fashion. There is a great deal of dialogue which is difficult for the subtitlers to do justice to, but it is photographed in an intimate and intense fashion and is thought-provoking to watch.

I don't know what is going on with movies these days. Everyone is trying to be "creative" by using editing techniques that goes all over the place in time and space. It's a pain in the ass. This movie is very long and drawn out, and worst of all, the extended ending does not explain anything more. I was hoping for some clarification, but none came. As for the acting, call it over acting, especially the guy who played the fat dumb guy. This movie also doesn't know whether it wants to be a drama or a comedy. If you want courtroom drama, stick with "12 angry men" or "Witness for the Prosecution." Those movies are easy to follow and entertaining. This one is not.