Turning Point (2009 film)
Encyclopedia
Turning Point is a 2009
Hong Kong film
directed by Herman Yau
and starring Michael Tse
in the title role of "Laughing Gor" and co-starring veteran actors Francis Ng
and Anthony Wong
. Released in Hong Kong on 13 August 2009, this is the first film to be produced by Shaw Brothers
since 2003's Drunken Monkey
.
Michael Tse's performance as "Laughing Gor" in the TVB television serial E.U
was well received, and due to his popularity, TVB general manager Stephen Chan Chi Wan
, during an interview with Tse in Be My Guest on 1 April 2009, announced that a prequel/spin-off featuring "Laughing Gor" would be made and presented Tse a contract for the film.
) is an undercover cop, but because of a drug case, Inspector Poon (Felix Wong
) has been trying to track him down.
Laughing is supposedly an undercover cop who has infiltrated a triad organization. However, before he became a cop, Laughing was a member of the triads and worked for the triad leader Lai Tin Yat aka Brother One (Anthony Wong
). Brother was very good to Laughing, and Laughing looked up to him as his elder brother. In order to strengthen his business and illegal activities, Brother One arranges for Laughing to join the Police Force and become his mole to gather information about the plans and counter-plans for operations by the police.
Laughing graduated from Police Academy with outstanding results but before he was assigned to a post as a police officer, his "bad boy" image attracted the attention of the Head of District Anti-Triad Squad, Superintendent Sin (Yuen Biao
) who arranges his assignment as an undercover cop to infiltrate the mob syndicate.
Laughing is now a "double" agent. Brother One was happy with this turn of events as Laughing was assigned to infiltrate the mob of his triad rival sibling Zatoi (Francis Ng
), who tries to make life difficult for Laughing. To further complicate the situation, Laughing falls in love with Zatoi's sister, Karen (Fala Chen
).
How will Laughing contend with the law, the triad brotherhood, and his love affair? No matter which camp he sides with, he is doomed to be a traitor to the other. Which path will Laughing ultimately choose to follow?
's Box office, earning $675,295 in 35 screenings with $19,294 per average topping the charts during its opening weekend.. Till today, the film finally grossed $2,020,712 (HK 15.7 million), one of the four domestic films to be placing into the top 10 in the summer..
Note: Wang Po Chieh's original nomination for the Best New Performer for Bodyguards and Assassins
was withdrawn after he was confirmed to be an actor in the 2008 Taiwan film Winds of September
. His nomination was replaced by Fala Chen.
Hong Kong films of 2009
A list of films produced in Hong Kong in 2009:.-2009:-External links:* * Hong Kong films of 2009 at...
Hong Kong film
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
directed by Herman Yau
Herman Yau
Herman Yau Lai-To , born 1961 in Hong Kong is a film director, actor, cinematographer, scriptwriter and film producer.-Background:A Chiuchow by origin, Yau studied film at The Department of Communications, Hong Kong Baptist College from 1981 to 1984 where he spent much of his early days hanging out...
and starring Michael Tse
Michael Tse
Michael Tse Tin Wah is a Hong Kong TVB actor.-Career highlights:Michael Tse graduated from TVB's Dance Training Class and worked with TVB as a dancer for 5 years. He then left TVB and formed a boy band group called 風火海 with Jordan Chan and Jason Chu...
in the title role of "Laughing Gor" and co-starring veteran actors Francis Ng
Francis Ng
-Career:Like so many of Hong Kong's actors, Ng has his roots in television. He graduated from TVB's training classes in 1985. He acted in minor roles working gradually upwards in the television hierarchy, but his looks did not fit in the conventional leading man role...
and Anthony Wong
Anthony Wong Chau Sang
Anthony Wong Chau-sang is a Hong Kong Film Award-winning Hong Kong actor, screenwriter and film director. He is regarded as one of the most notable actors in Hong Kong.-Biography:...
. Released in Hong Kong on 13 August 2009, this is the first film to be produced by Shaw Brothers
Shaw Brothers Studio
The Shaw Brothers Studio , owned by Shaw Brothers Ltd., was the foremost and the largest movie production company of Hong Kong movies.From their distribution base in Singapore where they founded parent company Shaw Organization in 1924, and as a strategic development of their movie distribution...
since 2003's Drunken Monkey
Drunken Monkey (film)
Drunken Monkey is a 2003 kung fu film directed by Lau Kar-leung. It was the first kung fu film released by the Shaw Brothers Studio in two decades.-Cast:*Lau Kar-leung as Master Man Bill*Wu Jing as Great Uncle Tak*Lau Wing Kin as Chan Kai Yip...
.
Michael Tse's performance as "Laughing Gor" in the TVB television serial E.U
E.U. (TVB)
Emergency Unit, better known as simply E.U. is a 2009 Hong Kong television drama created and produced by Wong Wai-sing. It is the direct sequel to 2007's On the First Beat and the third installment in the The Academy series. E.U. stars Ron Ng and Sammul Chan from the original series, with the...
was well received, and due to his popularity, TVB general manager Stephen Chan Chi Wan
Stephen Chan Chi Wan
Stephen Chan Chi Wan, born 1958, is the general manager of Television Broadcasts Limited .-Early years:Chan studied linguistics and theatre at the University of Hong Kong and graduated in 1981.-Pre-TVB career:...
, during an interview with Tse in Be My Guest on 1 April 2009, announced that a prequel/spin-off featuring "Laughing Gor" would be made and presented Tse a contract for the film.
Plot
The story takes place before the early year of 2000 when Laughing (Michael TseMichael Tse
Michael Tse Tin Wah is a Hong Kong TVB actor.-Career highlights:Michael Tse graduated from TVB's Dance Training Class and worked with TVB as a dancer for 5 years. He then left TVB and formed a boy band group called 風火海 with Jordan Chan and Jason Chu...
) is an undercover cop, but because of a drug case, Inspector Poon (Felix Wong
Felix Wong
Felix Wong Yat-wah is a Hong Kong actor and singer. Wong is best known for his performances in many Hong Kong wuxia television drama series produced by TVB, such as The Legend of the Condor Heroes , in which he played the protagonist Kwok Ching...
) has been trying to track him down.
Laughing is supposedly an undercover cop who has infiltrated a triad organization. However, before he became a cop, Laughing was a member of the triads and worked for the triad leader Lai Tin Yat aka Brother One (Anthony Wong
Anthony Wong Chau Sang
Anthony Wong Chau-sang is a Hong Kong Film Award-winning Hong Kong actor, screenwriter and film director. He is regarded as one of the most notable actors in Hong Kong.-Biography:...
). Brother was very good to Laughing, and Laughing looked up to him as his elder brother. In order to strengthen his business and illegal activities, Brother One arranges for Laughing to join the Police Force and become his mole to gather information about the plans and counter-plans for operations by the police.
Laughing graduated from Police Academy with outstanding results but before he was assigned to a post as a police officer, his "bad boy" image attracted the attention of the Head of District Anti-Triad Squad, Superintendent Sin (Yuen Biao
Yuen Biao
Yuen Biao is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist. He specialises in acrobatics and Chinese martial arts and has worked on over 80 films as actor, stuntman and action choreographer...
) who arranges his assignment as an undercover cop to infiltrate the mob syndicate.
Laughing is now a "double" agent. Brother One was happy with this turn of events as Laughing was assigned to infiltrate the mob of his triad rival sibling Zatoi (Francis Ng
Francis Ng
-Career:Like so many of Hong Kong's actors, Ng has his roots in television. He graduated from TVB's training classes in 1985. He acted in minor roles working gradually upwards in the television hierarchy, but his looks did not fit in the conventional leading man role...
), who tries to make life difficult for Laughing. To further complicate the situation, Laughing falls in love with Zatoi's sister, Karen (Fala Chen
Fala Chen
Fala Chen is a Chinese-American beauty pageant titleholder. Chen has held the titles of Miss Asian America 2002 and Miss NY Chinese 2004, and placed as runner-up in Miss Chinatown USA 2003 and Miss Chinese International 2005.-Education:Chen was born in Chengdu, People's Republic of China, in 1982...
).
How will Laughing contend with the law, the triad brotherhood, and his love affair? No matter which camp he sides with, he is doomed to be a traitor to the other. Which path will Laughing ultimately choose to follow?
Ching Hing Society (Brother One's Gang)
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Anthony Wong Anthony Wong Chau Sang Anthony Wong Chau-sang is a Hong Kong Film Award-winning Hong Kong actor, screenwriter and film director. He is regarded as one of the most notable actors in Hong Kong.-Biography:... |
Lai Tin Yat / Brother One 黎天一 |
Main villain Zatoi's rival Triad Boss Former undercover cop |
| Michael Tse Michael Tse Michael Tse Tin Wah is a Hong Kong TVB actor.-Career highlights:Michael Tse graduated from TVB's Dance Training Class and worked with TVB as a dancer for 5 years. He then left TVB and formed a boy band group called 風火海 with Jordan Chan and Jason Chu... |
Leung Siu Tong / Laughing Gor 梁笑棠 / Laughing哥 |
Brother One's follower turned Undercover Cop PC66715 |
| Kenny Wong (黃德斌) | Che Chai 車仔 |
Brother One's follower Undercover Cop PC4278 |
| Dickson Wong (黃文迪) | Brother One's follower | |
| Oscar Leung (梁烈唯) | Siu Lung 小龍 |
Laughing's underling |
| Tracy Ip | Brother One's girlfriend Lawyer |
|
| Lorretta Chow Lorretta Chow Lorretta Chow Mei-yan is a Chinese Canadian actress and second runner-up at the 2007 Miss Hong Kong Pageant.She will release her debut album in 2012.-Filmography:-Singing:... |
Brother One's girlfriend | |
| Koni Lui Koni Lui Koni Lui also known as Koni Lui Wai Yee is a model and 2nd runner up at the Miss Hong Kong 2006 pageant. She represented Hong Kong at Miss International 2006 in Tokyo, Japan and Beijing, China. She received 2 awards, Most Beautiful Smile and the Miss Friendship award... |
Brother One's girlfriend | |
| Sherry Chen Sherry Chen Sherry Chen is a South African businesswomen and member of Parliament. Chen immigrated to South Africa in 1981. First working at a textile factory as an English sectary for a Taiwanese firm that later went bankrupt... |
Brother One's girlfriend | |
| Lin Chi Hung (連志雄) | Laughing's follower | |
| Chow Chi Ho (周志豪) | Laughing's follower | |
Ching Hing Society (Zatoi's Gang)
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Francis Ng Francis Ng -Career:Like so many of Hong Kong's actors, Ng has his roots in television. He graduated from TVB's training classes in 1985. He acted in minor roles working gradually upwards in the television hierarchy, but his looks did not fit in the conventional leading man role... |
Zatoi 座頭 |
Triad Boss Brother One's rival Karen's older brother |
| Johnson Lee Johnson Lee -TV series:-Film:-External links:** at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase... |
Child 阿巢 |
Zatoi's men Undercover who secretly works for Brother One |
| Pierre Ngo | No Fight 撈輝 |
Zatoi's follower |
| Edwin Siu Edwin Siu -Discography:*2002: Born to Fly*2002: Edwin*2003: What Do You Want Me to Do *2005: Story -Films:-Television serial dramas:-Internet serial dramas:-Awards:- External links :... |
Zatoi's lawyer | |
| Fala Chen Fala Chen Fala Chen is a Chinese-American beauty pageant titleholder. Chen has held the titles of Miss Asian America 2002 and Miss NY Chinese 2004, and placed as runner-up in Miss Chinatown USA 2003 and Miss Chinese International 2005.-Education:Chen was born in Chengdu, People's Republic of China, in 1982... |
Karen | Zatoi's younger sister Non-triad member College student Laughing's girlfriend |
Ching Hing Society (The Elders)
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Eric Tsang Eric Tsang Eric Tsang Chi-wai , MH is a prolific Hong Kong actor, film director, film producer and television host best known for hosting the Super Trio series on TVB over the course of 10 years.-Biography:Due to his popularity, he is often the MC in events organized by TVB, and is nicknamed "the Prize Master"... |
Master Ford 福爺 |
Head of Ching Hing Society |
| Lee Ka Ting (李家鼎) | Master Ting 鼎爺 |
|
Police unit
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Yuen Biao Yuen Biao Yuen Biao is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist. He specialises in acrobatics and Chinese martial arts and has worked on over 80 films as actor, stuntman and action choreographer... |
Sin Sir 冼Sir |
OCTB Superintendent |
| Felix Wong Felix Wong Felix Wong Yat-wah is a Hong Kong actor and singer. Wong is best known for his performances in many Hong Kong wuxia television drama series produced by TVB, such as The Legend of the Condor Heroes , in which he played the protagonist Kwok Ching... |
Poon Man Kei 潘文基 |
OCTB Senior Inspector |
| Wayne Lai Wayne Lai Wayne Lai Yiu-cheung is a Hong Kong TVB actor.-Biography:Lai entered TVB in 1983 as a clerk in the business department. In 1985, he gave up the job and trained in the TVB Acting School. He starred in a few series in 1989. He started out in some minor roles, and took on some more significant roles... |
Mo 阿武 |
OCTB Inspector |
| Tai Chi Wai (戴志偉) | Police Trainer Laughing's trainer |
|
| Ron Ng Ron Ng Ron Ng Cheuk-hei is a Hong Kong TVB actor, singer, professional dancer, ambassador, and model. He is one of the most demanded artists from TVB.-Early Childhood:... |
Police Constable PC26168 |
|
| Sammul Chan Sammul Chan Sammul Chan Kin-fung is a Hong Kong actor, singer, and presenter.-Career:Chan debuted in 1997 as a DJ for Metro Broadcast Corporation Limited under his birth name, although most of the time he was simply referred to and credited as simply "Sammul". From 1997 to 1999, he has signed with three... |
Police Constable PC32017 |
|
| Benjamin Yuen Benjamin Yuen Benjamin Yuen, also known as Benjamin Yuen Wai Ho he became the winner of Hong Kong's Mr. Hong Kong beauty contest in 2007... |
OCTB officer | |
| Matthew Ko Matthew Ko Matthew Ko Kwan-yin is a Hong Kong actor currently working with TVB.At the age of seven, Matthew emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada with his parents. He returned to Hong Kong in 2004 and worked as a model. In 2005, he became the first ever winner of Hong Kong's Mr. Hong Kong beauty contest and... |
OTCB officer | |
| Anna Yau (丘凱敏) | Sin Sir's wife | |
Other
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Sung Poon Chung (宋本中) | Robber | |
| Lai Tung Hong (黎桐康) | Killer | |
| Alan Chui (徐忠信) | Master Da 台灣拆家 |
Taiwanese drug dealer |
| Wong So Fun (黃素歡) | Amy | Waitress |
Release
Due to Laughing's character already flavoured among local audiences, the film performed outstanding in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
's Box office, earning $675,295 in 35 screenings with $19,294 per average topping the charts during its opening weekend.. Till today, the film finally grossed $2,020,712 (HK 15.7 million), one of the four domestic films to be placing into the top 10 in the summer..
Conflicts between E.U. and Turning Point
The production company that produced Turning Point made the unusual decision to exclude the very story writers of E.U. to have another group to fill in Laughing's prequel story. Due to the lack of consideration of canon, a series of plot conflicts between the series and movie were revealed. Most of the established lore of Laughing in E.U. were ignored and replaced by an alternate reality time line of Laughing's life as an undercover cop:- Laughing was shown to join the police academy for his idealism for justice and honor. His motivations also convinced his girlfriend, Wendy, to also join the academy to become good peacekeepers; the movie replaces his original undercover recruiter, officer Kwok Pui, with officer Sin. Wendy's involvement in E.U.E.U. (TVB)Emergency Unit, better known as simply E.U. is a 2009 Hong Kong television drama created and produced by Wong Wai-sing. It is the direct sequel to 2007's On the First Beat and the third installment in the The Academy series. E.U. stars Ron Ng and Sammul Chan from the original series, with the...
was ignored in the movie. - Laughing's diary clearly mentions his 10-year stint undercover was largely involved in Yik-Tin's triad to expose their activities; the movie mentions his involvement with another triad that greatly conflicts with the time-line within his diary.
- The movie revolves more of Laughing's life as an underling rather than a gang boss.
- The 5 dollar HK coin Laughing has was given to him by Brother One, but in E.U. it was just an ordinary coin Laughing was going to give Wendy just to buy a drink.
- In E.U.E.U. (TVB)Emergency Unit, better known as simply E.U. is a 2009 Hong Kong television drama created and produced by Wong Wai-sing. It is the direct sequel to 2007's On the First Beat and the third installment in the The Academy series. E.U. stars Ron Ng and Sammul Chan from the original series, with the...
it was said that Laughing had never killed anyone but in Turning Point he killed his boss Brother One. - In E.U. when Laughing met Hau, he was bald, but in Turning Point he wasn't.
Award nomination
29th Hong Kong Film Awards29th Hong Kong Film Awards
Ceremony for the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards took place on 18 April 2010 . Here are the nominees listed taken from the official website.Wang Po Chieh's original nomination for the Best New Performer was withdrawn after he was confirmed to be an actor in the 2008 Taiwan film Winds of September...
- Nominated: Best New Performer (Fala ChenFala ChenFala Chen is a Chinese-American beauty pageant titleholder. Chen has held the titles of Miss Asian America 2002 and Miss NY Chinese 2004, and placed as runner-up in Miss Chinatown USA 2003 and Miss Chinese International 2005.-Education:Chen was born in Chengdu, People's Republic of China, in 1982...
)
Note: Wang Po Chieh's original nomination for the Best New Performer for Bodyguards and Assassins
Bodyguards and Assassins
Bodyguards and Assassins is a 2009 Hong Kong film directed by Teddy Chan, featuring an all-star cast, including Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Leon Lai, Wang Xueqi, Simon Yam, Hu Jun, Eric Tsang and Fan Bingbing.-Plot:...
was withdrawn after he was confirmed to be an actor in the 2008 Taiwan film Winds of September
Winds of September
Winds of September is a 2008 Taiwanese film, set in 1996 in Hsinchu, that focuses on a gang of teenage boys who drink, smoke and gamble, and the relationships between them...
. His nomination was replaced by Fala Chen.
External links
- Official Website: Laughing Gor之變節 - tvb.com
- Turning Point at the Hong Kong Movie DatabaseHong Kong Movie DatabaseThe Hong Kong Movie DataBase is a bilingual website that was created in 1995 by Ryan Law to provide a repository for information about movies originating from Hong Kong and the people that created them....
- Laughing Gor-Turning Point at Hong Kong CinemagicHong Kong CinemagicHong Kong Cinemagic, sometimes referred to as HKCinemagic, is a bilingual website providing a repository for information about Chinese language films from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, and the people that created them. The website contains news, interviews, film reviews and a database of people,...