The ultra classic flick of the late eighties that started its own genre. Chow Yun-Fat stars in one of his most famous roles. He plays legendary professional gambler Ko Chun, who’s dubbed the “God of Gamblers” because of his insane ability to beat the odds at the gambling arts. This includes counting cards, hearing dice, psychological intimidation and outright chicanery. All bets are off, as long as Ko Chun comes up roses.
     Unfortunately Ko Chun gets brain damage when he falls into a juvenile trap set up by two-bit gambler Knife (Andy Lau), who was trying to set up some Indian guy he can’t stand. Ko Chun ends up reverting to a child-like state where he can only be pacified by chocolate. No kidding. Then he helps out Knife and his girl (Joey Wong) by earning him a bundle. However, Ko Chun’s enemies want to do him in and will stop at nothing to gain their revenge, even if it means offing someone who’s obviously not all there.
     Chow’s performance is a combination of his John Woo characters and Dustin Hoffman’s from Rain Man, and he was nominated for Best Actor for his efforts (but he lost to himself in All About Ah-Long). Filled with tons of wackiness and even some two-gun action, this is a fun flick, but it's also really typical of Hong Kong and its director Wong Jing. (Kozo 1995)

image courtesy of Mei Ah Laser Disc Co., Ltd.