Film Name: 赌圣 / All for the Winner
1990 marked a prolific year for Stephen Chow’s filmography, with a total of 11 films released. Among them, two stood out most prominently: “All for the Winner” and “God of Gamblers II.”
On the 1990 Hong Kong box office chart, “All for the Winner” and “God of Gamblers II” claimed the top two spots with HK$41.32 million and HK$40.3 million in earnings respectively.
It was precisely the massive success of these two films that propelled Stephen Chow’s film career to a qualitative leap, elevating him from “Little Star” to the revered status of “Master Chow.”
Although “All for the Winner” followed the earlier “God of Gamblers” film starring Chow Yun-fat, the comedic pairing of Stephen Chow and Michael Yu gave this gambling-themed movie a unique flavor. The production team was exceptionally strong, with Yuen Kwai and Lau Chin directing. God of Gamblers,” the comedic pairing of Stephen Chow and Michael Yuen gave this gambling-themed film a unique flavor. The production team was exceptionally strong: directed by Yuen Kwai and Stephen Chow, written by Stephen Chow and Ng Sze-yuen, and starring not only Stephen Chow and Michael Yuen but also Michelle Cheung, Sandra Ng, Patrick Yuen, Stephen Chow, and Yuen Kwai.
Stephen Chow plays Ah Sing, who arrives in Hong Kong from mainland China to seek refuge with his Uncle Sam. When Uncle Sam (played by Michael Yuen) discovers Ah Sing’s supernatural abilities, he begins exploiting them for gambling. Ultimately, the pair even wield these powers in the World Gambling Championship, defeating Hong Kong’s gambling king, Hong Guang (played by Patrick Yuen).
In hindsight, the film’s plot is straightforward and simplistic, with many story elements lacking depth. However, its unique brand of absurd comedy stands out, serving as a key factor in its massive success.
To many, the nonsensical comedy of Stephen Chow and Wu Mengda seems filled with sheer chaos. Yet their seamless chemistry and masterful back-and-forth banter set them apart as unrivaled in their craft. This dynamic made them unstoppable in Hong Kong comedy throughout the 1990s, contributing countless classics to Chinese cinema.
Analyzing Stephen Chow’s filmography reveals that kung fu is a constant element. This stems from his personal passion for martial arts and serves as a tribute to his revered martial arts icon, Bruce Lee. Consequently, the film features a dedicated alley brawl sequence with street thugs.
The acting skills of comedians are often overlooked, much like those of martial artists such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Beyond comedy and martial arts, they must also effectively portray their characters and seamlessly integrate them into the film’s narrative—a feat that truly tests their acting prowess. Consequently, “All for the Winner” earned Stephen Chow and Ng Man-tat nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the 10th Hong Kong Film Awards.
The charm of absurd comedy lies in its earnest pursuit of humor, never allowing the audience to perceive any vulgarity. The collaboration between Stephen Chow and Michael Ng became a golden duo in Hong Kong comedy cinema. Their absence from working together after 2001 represents a tremendous loss for both the film industry and audiences.
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