Film Name: 狱中龙 / Dragon in Jail / 獄中龍
Time flies. Over the years, my feelings toward Hong Kong cinema have shifted from liking to disdain, from disdain to liking, and now to utter obsession.
My initial fondness stemmed from childhood nights spent watching Hong Kong films on local TV—simple, entertaining fare that suited my young self.
Why did I come to despise them? Because I started watching foreign blockbusters—both arthouse and commercial—and in comparison, Hong Kong films seemed a bit slapdash.
My later fondness returned when Johnnie To and the team at Milkyway Image pulled me back into Hong Kong cinema. It was the twilight of Hong Kong’s golden age, and also the most unconventional path the industry ever took.
My current obsession stems from no longer judging old Hong Kong films through modern lenses. Instead, I use them as tools to revisit the past. Within each vintage film, I see Hong Kong as it was: the buildings looked like this, cars were like that, and flirting went like this. the fashion of the time looked like this, Chow Yun-fat downing a dozen raw eggs in one go, Lau Nam-kwong once being a leading man, Tony Leung Ka-fai’s comedic genius standing alone, Simon Yam’s gangster presence truly commanding, Eric Tsang’s villainous portrayals spot-on, and that curly-haired, bespectacled guy was actually Sam Tsang…
Now, when it comes to Hong Kong cinema, I can rattle off details endlessly. Those cinematic nuances and lines bear the marks of time, yet remain as fresh as ever.
Movie Poster
What drew me to watch Andy Lau’s “Dragon in Jail” was primarily that iconic “wet shirt without a bra” scene between Andy and Gigi Leung. As a die-hard Hong Kong cinema fan, I simply couldn’t miss it.
Eagle-eyed viewers noticed Gigi Leung went braless in the film
After watching the entire film, while Gigi’s “wet shirt without a bra” scene offered a small visual treat, it was Andy Lau’s appearance in this movie that utterly astonished me.
This is absolutely Andy Lau’s peak in looks!
Filmed in 1990, Andy was only 29 at the time—a man’s prime.
Still from “If Sky Have Love” (same year)
Truthfully, Andy Lau’s striking good looks were already well-known to us all through films like “If Sky Have Love,” “Saviour of the Soul,” “Lee Rock,” and “Casino Tycoon” during those years. Besides, across China, there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t recognize Andy Lau, Stephen Chow, or Jackie Chan.
His handsomeness is common knowledge, nothing extraordinary.
Yet in “Dragon in Jail,” every frame—the contours of his face, the lines of his profile—is so strikingly handsome it leaves one speechless. It’s not the delicate beauty of a young heartthrob, nor the artificial perfection of plastic surgery, but the rugged charm of a man, radiating innate vitality.
“Dragon in Jail” still
As the film progresses and Andy Lau’s character rises to prominence, his face becomes increasingly perfect and flawless.
“Dragon in Jail” still
Search online for photos of Andy Lau’s father and brothers. Though they share similar features, when combined on Andy Lau’s face, they fit perfectly—a slightly higher nose wouldn’t work, nor would thinner lips. It’s truly nature’s artistry, a divine masterpiece more vibrant than any computer-generated perfect handsome face.
Priscilla Lai in “Dragon in Jail” still
Though “Dragon in Jail” is a tragedy—where Gigi Leung made her so-called “first” nude scene only to meet a brutal, murderous end—the weak plot had me instead studying Andy Lau’s relentless cool throughout. As critics noted, his hairstyle never faltered, no matter the circumstances.
“Dragon in Jail” Stills
How did they manage to make Andy Lau look so dashing in a tragic film? The director must be a woman, right?
Then I looked again—good heavens, the director was actually Vincent Cheng.
This immediately brought to mind the rumor circulating in the industry: in the late 90s, Vincent Cheng went bankrupt and sought a loan from Chow Yun-fat to settle his debts, but Chow refused. It was Andy Lau who consistently helped Cheng Cheh secure acting gigs to earn money. If that’s true, their relationship must have some connection to this film, “Dragon in Jail.”
Who else could make Andy Lau look that handsome?
The real-life inspiration for characters in the Hong Kong comic “Young and Dangerous”
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