Film Name: 金玉满堂 / The Chinese Feast / Gam yuk moon tong / 金玉滿堂
What a joy to revisit this film. Such a brilliant comedy—no matter how many times I watch it, it remains effortlessly pure and utterly delightful. Zhao Wenzhuo looks so fresh-faced he could be mistaken for a teenager, while Liang Liang radiates dazzling beauty. At 39, Old Zhang still has the face of someone in their twenties, and his adorable antics and flirtatious charm are utterly irresistible. Among the supporting cast, I was surprised to spot Xie Junhao—someone I’d never really noticed before.
Xu Jiaoyi’s pacing is spot-on. I’d seen bits and pieces before, but watching the whole thing recently, it still feels brilliant. Sure, some scenes feel dated now, but Hong Kong comedies from the ’80s and ’90s have this endearingly silly, innocent charm—even the villains are adorably clueless.
The emotional core of the film aligns perfectly with this sentiment. Leslie Cheung never met the real Momoe Yamaguchi in the film, so the rational affection he shares with Anita Yuen—forged through shared time and experiences—is impossible. Anita tells Leslie: “If you truly love someone in your heart, even a raging fire couldn’t burn it away.” That’s why the Momoe Yamaguchi Leslie loves remains perfectly preserved in photographs.
The Manchu-Han Imperial Feast is all about food, but isn’t it also about people? Some things—when offered with anticipation and fantasy, left unattained—may represent true affection, enduring love, and the very best. I am truly grateful that Mr. Tsui’s works accompanied my beautiful growing-up years.
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