Lady Flower Fist

Thanks to “Miu Chui-Fa,” Esther Kwan won TVB’s “Best Actress” in 1997.

Among legendary Chinese heroines like Hua Mu-Lan, Zhong Wu-Yen, it’s not surprising there’s also someone called Miu Chui-Fa. She’s best known for being Fong Sai-Yuk’s mother; yet, this woman is fantastic in her own right. In HK movie, Josephine Siao is a perfect Miu Chui-Fa. TVB didn’t have someone as fab as Fong-Fong jie, but hey… back then they got Esther Kwan who used to be TVB’s “Big Sis” (if I’m not wrong!).

Anyway, Kwan plays the young Miu Chui-Fa here, a country bumpkin who turns her father-visiting trip into troublesome playground by offending the bad guy. As a result, her father seeks help from well-off entrepreneur Fong Tak (Kwong Wah), and they bail her out by marrying Chui-Fa to Tak himself. She reluctantly agrees and causes headaches for his household which includes his two other wives (Betsy Cheung and Kara Hui) and his sister-in-law (Rain Lau). But the biggest trouble comes from rival Lee Siu-Wan (Cherie Chan) who falls in love with the cross-dressing Chui-Fa. There’s also the budding romance between Chui-Fa and her so-called husband. And yes, don’t forget the bad guy!

Talking about material, Lady Flower Fist offers the usual TVB series-making, which means light-hearted opening, easy-going comedy, feel-good scenes, stale drama, poor scenery, cheap fights, and rushed final episodes. Sound familiar? This plain script would be ruined in hands of TVB’s young new folks. But once again, TVB used to employ credible people back in the days, therefore the series is saved. Though predictable and lacking, the series does entertain for the most part because, well, I am entertained by the cast. While Esther Kwan can’t touch the sheer sensation of Josephine Siao, she is charming and makes a very likable Miu Chui-Fa. The only drawback is that TVB doesn’t attempt to make her look good fighting. Kwong Wah plays a rich guy well (as always!); he exaggerates a lot but it’s still a nice breakaway from what I’ve seen of him (either sappy or cold-blooded). The supporting cast is great: Betsy Cheung and Kara Hui (who gets to strut her kung-fu stuff briefly here) are both dependable, Rain Lau is at her best, and I miss seeing Cherie Chan.

Some scenes that I like:
1) Miu Chui-Fa and Fong Tak’s “wedding” day.
2) When 2nd and 3rd wives dress up in foreign dresses.
3) When Fong Tak compete with the foreigner.
4) When Fong Tak watch his family members sleeping (Funny!)
5) Esther Kwan in male attire (she doesn’t look like a man, but she sure looks cute.)
6) Any scene with Kara Hui.

Lady Flower Fist is one of those typically enjoyable series that TVB has produced. It is harmless fun stuff and a treat to watch the cast, especially Esther Kwan at her prime. I don’t mind viewing it again, sometime in the future!