Modern Kung-fu teacher Kara Hui butts heads with old Kung-fu teacher Lau Kar-leung in The Lady is the Boss. New to Blu-ray from 88 Films.
The Film
The Lady is the Boss is a surprisingly great action comedy. Not surprising because of the quality of the film and action – director Lau Kar-lueng’s career as an action director is not without precedence. It’s that most of the comedy, with a few exceptions, in the film has aged well. Anchored by winning performances by Kara Hui and Lau Kar-Leung himself
As the modern world encroaches on the traditional Kung-fu school run by Wang Hsieh Yun (Lau Kar Leung) they are forced to move. Needing guidance, the school sends word to the original Master of the school – who’s in San Francisco. The Master sends help in the form of his daughter Chan Mei Ling (Kara Hui). Mei Ling instantly begins to adjust their traditional ways to a more modern view much to the chagrin of Wang but to the success of the school. Mei Ling with the help of the few students the school has is able to amass a group of men and women to train. Unfortunately, many of them are tied to the criminal underworld. Now Mei Ling and Wang will have to work together if they are to get out of the grasp of the crime lord (Johnny Wang Lung Wei).
The film is not a complex one. The film’s narrative we’ve seen before with a martial arts school coming under the eye and thumb of an oppressor (e.g., corrupt officials, crime lords, take your piece). Usually, this type of story is one of youth vs establishment within the martial arts school, but director/co-writer Lau has added a new modern wrinkle of Female vs Male. Though Lau manages to create a narrative doesn’t edge towards sexist viewpoints. Though one should be warned there are moments of outdated viewpoints towards the LBGTQ community – though that can be said about most comedies of the 1980s at the time.
What the film lacks in complexity makes up for in sheer entertainment and action choreography artistry. There are no less than three standout action set pieces. There’s a disco fight scene that’s as entertaining as it is hilarious. The finale set in a gymnasium that obliterates everything in Gymkata (and may have been the inspiration for that Z-Grade action film). The best being the BMX-Fu action that has Hui and her students getting some payback against the crime bosses’ goons with the aid of Bikes.
The Lady is the Boss is the kind of delightful discovery for those who have never seen it. If one can overlook a few 80s cliches one will be surprised by how much fun the entire film is.
The Transfer
The 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a master supplied by Celestial Pictures is an excellent representation of the films. The films look sharp, and the color reproduction is wonderful popping off the screen. 88 Films has gone above and beyond to bring another great Shaw Brothers classic to Blu-ray with a gorgeous widescreen transfer.
The Extras
They include the following;
- Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng
- Sam Ho on Lau Kar-leung by Fred Ambroisine
- Trailer
- Stills Gallery
The archival Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng opens with his credentials before diving into the film. Some of the details include the literal translation of the title; the many titles that the film goes by; the release and the box office success of the film; the fact that no one dubbed their own voices – a larger discussion of the voice actors who dubbed the onscreen actors; a larger discussion of director and star Lau Kar-leung – and how this film is a rarity in his filmography as it takes place in the modern era; a great discussion of the immigration because of the impending HK turnover to China – which had already began at this time in 1983; how this was a part of the youth film movement in the early 1980s and examples of the genre; the similarities and differences between The Lady is the Boss and My Young Auntie; the change over from Mandarin to Cantonese – which leads to a larger discussion of Lau Kar-leung’s making a more modern film because the change with the appearance of Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung’s action comedies set in Modern HK; how the training scene was updated for the modern times; a larger discussion of the cultural norms that appear in the film and how the film uses those for dramatic and comedic effect; a larger discussion of the various locations the production used – including a fascinating discussion of the airport they used at the beginning; discussion throughout the commentary track about the various actors and their work here and throughout their career – keep your notes app open you’ll want to write some of the films down; and much more.
Sam Ho on Lau Kar-leung by Fred Ambroisine (13:56) – in this archival featurette the multi-hyphenate Ho discusses Lau Kar-leung’s career and specifically what made his films so irresistible to audiences and critics alike. Beginning with how Lau began as an actor and transitioned into a choreographer and directing later in life gave him the background to ascend above the ranks. Lau’s belief in the spiritual side of martial arts helped inform his visual style similar to the greats of HK Cinema – like Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. Lau’s Southern Style Kung-Fu and how – its emphasis on the upper body and specifically the arms – important post-Bruce Lee.
Trailer (1:13)
Stills Gallery (3:12) – the still gallery consists of 19 production stills that play automatically with the film’s score accompanying it. One can pause and navigate using the Next and Back chapter stop buttons on their remote if one wishes.
The Final Thought
The Lady is the Boss is a great addition to the 88 Films Label. Recommended!!!