Sai chiu

49 Days comes from the mind of actor and producer Tsui Siu Ming (The Buddhist Fist), brother to kung fu legend and star Tsui Siu Keung (Duel To The Death). While having made a grand career for himself in the film industry, it definitely hasn't been anywhere near as busy or successful as his bro with most of his films just passing as watchable - and some a case of 'what-could-have-been'.

With this supernatural mystery thriller, I'm going to say it was one of his better efforts but definitely is a case of 'what-could-have-been' had it been in the hands of a stronger director. The man behind this one, Lam Kin Lung, had only made 2 little know features beforehand with this being his 3rd and final one to date...

While it comes across as a TV movie, 49 Days is actually quite well made, with some great shots and visuals that give a classically filmed look to the whole thing. In fact, you could be forgiven if you were to think this was made in the late 80's/early 90's period. The sets are fantastic due to the fact that it was shot at the incredible Hengdian World Studios in China, something you should really Google and see more about. The place looks incredible, and would also explain the classical, studio set look to it all!

While its story may seem basic, and performances even more so, the film does take some twists and turns in a Sixth Sense kind of way and brings a few chills to light in between the drama and mystery, getting better as the movie rolls along. Shaw Brothers star Lo Meng carries an interesting role (without having to do any kung fu) which shakes things up a little after the hour mark - but I don't want to give too much away.

Overall: Much different from the (much more superior) Fung and Chung team up previous on House Of Fury, 49 days offers something a little more old school although still entertains...

Painless time-killer...

49 Days isn't a crap movie, but nor can it be considered as any good. At best, the movie can be labeled as an adequate time-killer which doesn't bore, but at worst, there is nothing exciting in it at all. In other words, a movie that you finish and just moments later you feel - "I have just wasted my time." Have you ever sit through a movie, where tens of people die in a fire, yet there is not even a single sign of emotion moving within your heart? 49 Days loses out big time, because of its lack of emotions and wholly fully ordinary direction by a former kung fu star. Stephen Fung, a director himself could have done a heck lot better, if he was given the job and likewise, Gillian Chung performs in a role that allowed nothing more than being her old cliché self.

The movie attempts to ape A Chinese Ghost Story and also a trying efforts of the late 80s, but sadly the script does not allow any breakthrough. The result is once again yet again missed opportunity because the director wanted to play safe. The movie starts and ends without being surprise or anything whatsoever, but luckily it doesn't bore you either. Perhaps it is saved by a charismatic performance from Stephen Fung and a beautiful look of Gillian Chung. The pairing shows glimpses of chemistry, but the director never attempts to give their relationship any depth or character which results in an empty feeling towards the end.

Stephen Fung plays a character who comes back from the dead after being wrongfully accused for arson of his own house and while he is given most of the focus, his character isn't well developed and resulting in absolutely no emotional responses even when he die. Gilian Chung is also given a role that wastes her time and talent and needless to say - she is looking pretty. Boyz's Steven appears here and there in what seemed like a Chapman To's cameo, but minus the comic genius of the later. Raymond Wong is just painfully annoying as traitor and rather mad and one dimensional to the point of destroying the movie. Wong Yat Fei is once again funny, but his presence is far too shortlisted.

Overall, 49 Days isn't a totally crap and in fact it isn't really that bad. However, it just forgot the plot and at times it just seems stupid. Hampered by poor direction, average sets, 49 Days is really a wholly fully average production that merges too many genres. Ask yourself after watching the movie - is it a comedy? horror? thriller? family drama? If you are asking Neo, he really do not know, as it isn't really comedy, it isn't scary, it isn't thrilling and the family drama has no emotions whatsoever. Sure this movie doesn't bore you to death as it moves in a very fast pace and before you know it the movie have already ended. Perhaps it is a good thing, but only when you really have a lot of time on your hands to kill off, in that case, it is a pretty much painless time-killer...

I rate it 6.5/10

• www.thehkneo.com

Directed by Kin-Lung Lam, "49 Days" presents a tale of tragedy and perseverance set against the backdrop of urban China. Despite its slow pace, the film captivates audiences with its extraordinary background score, offering a hauntingly immersive experience.

The story follows Lau Sing, portrayed by Stephen Fung, who ventures from his provincial home to the bustling city with aspirations of success in the pharmacology business. However, his dreams are shattered when a malevolent gambler sets fire to his establishment, resulting in the loss of his friends and fortune. Accused of the crime, Lau Sing finds himself entangled in a legal battle, fighting to clear his name and seek justice for his fallen comrades.

"49 Days" may initially appear sluggish due to its deliberate pacing and subdued narrative. However, what it lacks in frenetic action, it compensates for with its atmospheric tension and emotional depth. The film's strength lies in its ability to evoke a sense of foreboding and unease, drawing viewers into Lau Sing's harrowing journey of loss and redemption.

While the performances of the cast, including Gillian Chung and Steven Cheung, are commendable, it is the masterful use of sound that truly elevates "49 Days." The background score, composed with precision and artistry, permeates every scene, intensifying the mood and heightening the suspense. Without resorting to gratuitous violence or gore, the film manages to instill a profound sense of dread, leaving a lasting impact on its audience.

As a horror aficionado, I approached "49 Days" with skepticism, expecting a run-of-the-mill supernatural thriller. However, I was pleasantly surprised by its ability to elicit genuine fear and apprehension, even without traditional horror tropes. Watching the film alone in the darkness of my room, the haunting melodies and eerie ambiance succeeded in sending shivers down my spine, a feat few movies have achieved.

In conclusion, "49 Days" may not be for everyone, particularly those seeking fast-paced action or explicit scares. However, for those willing to immerse themselves in its atmospheric world and appreciate the power of subtle storytelling, it offers a deeply affecting cinematic experience. With its exceptional background score and understated performances, "49 Days" proves to be a haunting journey worth embarking on.

In China, Lau Sing (Stephen Fung) leaves his wife and their young daughter in his province and travels to the big city with his friends to raise money in pharmacology business. Four years later, he becomes well-succeeded and raises a small fortune, but a scum gambler burns the building. killing his friends and accusing him of the criminal act. Lau Sing is arrested and the young lawyer Siu Chin (Gillian Chung) defends him in court, but she does not succeed and her client is sentenced to decapitation. However, Lau Sing escapes on the day of his execution and travels with Siu Chin to his province, where along forty-nine days he unravels dark secrets.

"49 Days" is a complete mess, with an absolutely confused screenplay and is based on the belief of many Chinese people of reincarnation and karma. Further, there are serious inconsistencies and mistakes in the subtitles in Portuguese that makes the story tougher to be understood, The intention of the writer and the director is also never clear, blending drama, romance, mystery, comedy and horror and making in the end a salad of genres. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "49 Dias" ("49 Days")

It's crazy to be doing a movie marathon of 4 movies in a row, and having 3 of which are from the horror genre. However, having completed those 3 first (the last being Spielberg's Munich), they again prove that the horror genre is diverse, and all 3 are different - the mystery-thriller, the ghouls-spirits, and the slasher flick. Onwards, shall we? This Hong Kong horror movie has 2 titles, one the Chinese one which means the rhino's horn, while the other in English refers to the seven by seven equals forty-nine days of the initial afterlife, in which the body's spirit will roam the earth before proceeding to the nether-land. And this movie actually talks about both in a rather interesting manner.

It's my second Stephen Fung - Gillian Chung pairing in a movie, the first being their take on martial arts in last year's House of Fury. This time, they take on the supernatural, with Fung playing a Chinese physician who had to leave his village, wife and daughter to try and make a comeback in his medical hall business. It took him four years to build a brand, but jealous opposition got him framed and imprisoned. Gillian Chung plays his lawyer who investigates and tries to prove his innocence, yet getting entangled romantically to the leading man. Thankfully the romance bit is tossed aside midway to focus more on the mystery of the story.

It's no M Night Shyamalan, but the influence from the writer-director is nonetheless heavy. The movie relies and references the mystical powers of the rhino's horn - the many uses that it has for Chinese medicine like acupuncture, and its ability when lit to see spirits. To those unfamiliar with Chinese afterlife, this movie too explains to certain depth what those forty-nine days are. To brand this film as an outright horror movie is incorrect, while it has certain standard aspects like the building of atmosphere, this movie plays more like a thriller-mystery, and its theme of Fate and Retribution.

Which somehow, plays a bit like one of my favourite movies, Frequency (Jim Caviezel-Dennis Quaid). While the production looks like a straight-to-television movie, the story is surprisingly above average. The spatial jumps that happen every now and then could be there for narrative sophistication, which could catch you offguard, but please hold your horses about potential plot loopholes when you notice them. I was finding fault with them, and they irritated me (thought it was slip-shoddy work), but as the movie progresses, you'd come to appreciate when the loopholes are addressed. Not all though, but most, and that's good enough by me.

The acting however, was below par. It's clearly a Stephen Fung vehicle considering the amount of screen time he has, but he didn't manage to flesh out his character thoroughly. Gillian Chung's role was also one-dimensional, considering that hers was a lead role too. There are plenty of smaller characters in the movie, but their roles were either to lend comic effect, or are the villains.

Being a PG rated film, it's a pity this movie has its gory scenes censored. But if you're looking for a mystery-thriller with a touch of the supernatural thrown in, then this movie would be my recommendation this period.