The Brink of Law

Cast:
Steven Ma (Tong Chi Ko)
Bernice Liu (Wing)
Ron Ng (Tong Yat Jun)
Shirley Yeung (Sung Ka Yi)
Kate Tsui (Yan Heung Chin)
Michelle Yim (Sung Kam Chi)
Yueh Hua (Tong Jin Long)
Lee Kwok Lun (Sung Kam Yuen)
Yoyo Chan (Tong Chi Man, step-sister to Chi Ko)
Stephen Wong (Tong Yat Long)
Vin Choi (Tong Yat Chiu)

Disclaimer: this review contains spoilers.

Typical of Hong Kong movies, "The Brink of Law" is fast-paced and no time is wasted on superfluous and tiring dialogues (unlike the Taiwanese series) and bowel-tearing tear jerkers (as in Korean series). The storyline is again atypical of Hong Kong movie themes - that of family relationships and squabbles, of love and jealousy, "black market dealings", of lies and deceit, of good and bad guys. A synopsis can be found elsewhere on this site, so I will not repeat the story here. I don't have a problem with the storyline. I only have peeves with some of the actors' portrayals of their roles.

Except for veteran actors Michelle Yim and Yueh Hua, the younger actors need to improve their acting. Not that they are exactly bad, but in their various roles I find chemistry lacking between the Ron Ng and Kate Tsui, and Steven Ma and Bernice Liu. Steven Wong has terrible (or shall I say negligible?) facial expressions as an invalid. Despite the flaws, I must confess I do like Ron Ng and Steven Ma. None of the ladies in this show sizzle. The older Michelle Yim in fact looks better and more polished than the younger stars. She puts up a believable act as the evil villain. Her mouth and facial expressions earn her points definitely.

As for the older Yueh Hua, I'm surprised that the scriptwriters did not make him out to be a more amorous man of the material world. I expected him to make more advance moves towards Bernice when she attempts to make him believe that she is interested in him. Sure, there is an age gap between Yueh and Bernice but it's a show after all. In real life, I think a man of Yueh's standing and experience would behave more intimately towards his younger love interest. Instead the only suggestion of closeness is Bernice touching Yueh's lap. Big deal! I think it'd be more believable if Yueh attempts to kiss and neck with Bernice. As it is in the serial, Yueh appears too guarded, too "stoney" and not a bit in love with Bernice at all.

Even for the younger pair of love birds, Ron and Kate, Steven and Bernice, there are no dovey-lovey, kissy-kissy scenes, except for one when Ron and Kate peck on the lips. Again, big deal! It's so unbelievable that two people in love could act so coy and almost brotherly-sisterly towards each other. If I was his love interest, I would have sizzled up to Ron (ha ha!).

Steven and Bernice do not even have a shot at being lovey-dovey. Apologies to those who think Bernice's smile is lovely. I beg to differ. I find her smile fake.

Kate puts up a terrible act when she was at the scene to identify Ron's body. She just isn't emotional enough to evoke tears from viewers (take a leaf from the Korean actresses, Kate). I, a big-time "cry-er" of emotional scenes, did not even shed tears. The other people present at that scene - Ron, Bernice and the lady police chief - though they attempted to show sadness, also fail to drum up heart-rending emotion that is expected of such scenes. Talking about the death of Ron, I have one big comment for the make-up artists: for a man who has been dead for a few days and buried in very (terrible!) shallow ground, his face looks too fresh and clean. The make-up artists could have dirtied his face somewhat to make it real. The villain who is tasked to dispose of Ron's body without a trace ought to be shot! He did such a poor job to dispose of Ron's dead body. Of course, I note that this is the celluloid world, and if they want you found, you'll be found. If they want you dead forever, you'll be dead forever.

Elsewhere on this site, there's a cry that Ron's character should not die. I agree. Why should a nice character like him die? Also, his death comes too soon and too unexpectedly. It is so uncalled for and there is no dramatic tension at all. The whole ending on the last episode is hurriedly done and leaves much to be desired.

Despite its flaws with casting and acting problems, this serial is worth watching. It has layers of intrigue and suspense. For me Ron, Steven, Michelle and Yueh make an interesting watch.