Who is the Chief Executive?
- ...
- You're the Chief Ruler! What are you saying?
- I can't read...
- You can't read, that's news! Okay, well, then you're not the Chief Ruler anymore, you're the Minister of Education, and you're gonna take his place with a bad face. What are you looking at? Places!
There is a saying: If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. And this phrase perfectly describes everything that will happen in this film. Judge for yourself: The main character, played by Jackie Chan, and whom everyone calls nothing but Charlie, comes to the country of great opportunities - Hong Kong, in order to find work, friends and meaning of life there. No, what did you want? The Chinese, too, may not be alien to the concept of the American dream... well, or they have a different definition of it, I don’t know, I’m not Chinese. So, Charlie arrived in Hong Kong is being advertised by a local crook, about recruiting people for a prestigious job, that's just to begin with you need to make a deposit so that the employer can trust his employees. Oh, yes, the typical combination is designed "for a fool", but given the fact that the hero of Jackie Chan becomes a kind and naive young man, he, like dozens of others, is conducted. And like dozens of comrades in misfortune are left penniless. What do we do? Is it worth it to cowardly clench your tail back home? Ha! No, of course not. It's Jackie Chan, and when did he, or his hero, give in to hardship? I can't remember anything like that. So now the hero of Jackie Chan sits on a bench and counts the last coins in the hope of buying something tasty and here, as ordered appears... what? Nope. Sammo Hunga, who would say a couple of parting words and offer a bowl of noodles in this film will not be, but a pity. It's much more prosaic. There is an elderly woman named Mrs. Rosa who sells roses for good luck. Hmm, luck... It would really be useful for Jackie Chan’s character, especially after what happened to his job and he decided to buy a rose. Uh, what? According to the law of cinema, something must happen at this very moment. Yeah, that's right! Several men dressed in expensive suits try to escape armed gangsters. Jackie Chan looks bewildered at the rose, and then saves the “businessmen”, one of whom is the godfather of the Hong Kong mafia, who before his death appoints Jackie Chan as his successor. What do you say? "Miracles!"
I will say right away – I have not seen “Fistful of Miracles”, which served as the starting point for this film, moreover, I have not even heard about the primary sources, which, however, is only good for the film. Whenever it comes to a remake of a film, it turns out that the original film is on everyone’s ears and even after a certain amount of time it is watched and revised. Yes, I understand perfectly well that everything rests on money and no one is going to look at the original from a different angle and at best, the viewer will see a sterile, in every sense, remake, which will be forgotten after a couple of days of viewing, as it was... but at least with the same “Robocop”, so that examples do not go far. But at the same time, I want to see remakes of films that, for one reason or another, have sunk into the summer, but at one time have gained fame from the viewer. After all, in this way you can kill two birds with one bullet at once - to cause the mass audience interest in the original film, and at the same time tell an interesting and charming story in its own way, because something, and the old films were indeed Art. However, enough empty polemics and it is time to go to the culprit of the celebration.
So, we have a rather unusual film with the participation of Jackie Chan. It sounds incredible, especially in light of how many films have been made with the participation of a charming Chinese man and at the same time each of them stood out, but it is true. Because despite the fact that in the film all aspects of gangster cinema are observed - here you and chases and shootings and division of territory and even a vile traitor is present, but at the same time there will be no violent death in the film. Everything is furnished interesting, exciting, funny, but most importantly - in a kind way. The hero of Jackie Chan, although changing under the influence of circumstances, but he is still a good guy who tries to solve all kinds of problems with the world. As a result, we are faced with a kind of “gangster tale”, which at one time was the “Oscar” with Sylvester Stallone and the series “Lillehammer”, in which, although cruelty slips, the authors tried to minimize it. A gangster tale? And really "miracles."
And the comparison with the “Oscar” was not accidental, because in the second half of the film, the hero of Jackie Chan tries to play a real show, passing off gangsters as respected members of society, along the way abducting journalists who are able to spoil all the raspberries. And at the same time trying to balance between the police who are pressing on one side and the warring mafia clan on the other. All in order to help an elderly woman, from whom the hero Jackie Chan bought a rose, it seemed forever ago.
Outcome? Another great movie with Jackie Chan. There is everything that the viewer loves movies with a talented Chinese - chases, fights and incredible tricks. Good actors who roamed with Jackie from film to film, and therefore meet them as old friends. Humor that hits the eyebrow, not the eyebrow. And most importantly, the film is imbued with inner kindness, which makes it easier after watching it on the soul, and a smile for a long time does not leave the viewer’s mouth. “Miracles” is a great way to brighten up the leisure time of both the whole family and the “lone wolf”. Well, all I can say is to wish you a pleasant viewing and more bright moments in your life, good luck!
8 out of 10
P.S. Today, April 7, 2016, Jackie Chan turns sixty-two and I want to say thank you to him for all the films he gave us, and wish him a long life and make them happy. Happy holiday, Jackie!
This is the first time I’ve seen this movie, but it’s amazing. My ignorance gave me a surprise, even more - a holiday.
The beginning of the film discouraged me a little - gangster showdowns at the head with a Thompson machine gun can not but surprise, but then everything fell into place. Chan came into the business, accidentally becoming the leader of one of the largest and most influential gangs. He is kind in nature, despite his new professional activity, but now you need to change either your life principles or the entire gangster world.
The trick part of the film is not only traditionally present, but also, again traditionally, it is breathtaking. But if in garlic, there are not so many tricks as the fights themselves, which does not detract from the merits of the picture. Much emphasis is placed on the script, which, indeed, should not be often interrupted for pugnacious pauses, it is competently tailored plot, where the melodramatic and moralizing foundations are easily intertwined with the humorous part. The film is really funny, there are in abundance and the usual Jackichanov lotions, seeing which it is simply impossible not to smile, but besides them there is also situational humor, not associated with curves (in the good sense of the word), the more this had a total lie of each of the characters, also smiled cartoon characters of gangsters - all this made the film really sparklingly funny.
The film will safely recommend to view not only Chan fans, there is almost no Eastern color on the amateur, as there is no stupid Hollywood (at times), this picture for everyone – it will laugh, will give the opportunity to sentimentalize and enjoy the tricks and well-made fighting scenes, in my opinion, the ingredients of a pleasant evening on the face.
I wish everyone a pleasant viewing!!
Who from a generation who is now over twenty, in childhood did not look at films with the great Jackie Chan? Each such picture was a whole event, none was missed, and those already viewed were revised, and not once. Many years later, some have somewhat lost their former gloss (but the classics, like the police story, are eternal), and yet at a chance meeting with a still unprecedented action movie with the magnificent Jackie, and pulls him as soon as possible to watch. That's what happened to the "miracles".
By chance, Charlie (Jackie Chan) gets involved in a gang showdown and not only comes out of it whole, but becomes the boss of one of the largest gangs. However, he is absolutely incompetent in this place: not only does he not know how things are done, but he is also the personification of honesty and infallibility. But nothing! Luck is on his side, which means he, as usual, will be able to get out of any problems!
Let’s just say that “Miracles” didn’t come out so wonderful. The cinema is secondary - both in the plot plan and in the staging of fights - the characters play quite average, humor helps a little, but closer to the final and he can no longer cope with the lack of dynamics and faded dialogue. A good movie would have to cut the minutes by 30-40, and that's when we'd have a great movie and a chance to ponostalgize. There is nostalgia... and that is all for us.
Following the career of Jackie Chan, and especially her first half, there is a strong feeling that the picture of “Miracles” is the project that Jackie has been working on all his life. First acting in pure-looking kung fu films, and then gradually moving to the role of an independent director of comedy action films, the Chinese hatched the idea to shoot something more serious, different from everything he was doing at that time. That is how the film about the gangster world appeared, on which certain hopes were pinned.
The central task was to depict the gangster light with all the ensuing: with guns, a black market, racketeering, underground clubs, stylish clothes and hats. This part is performed here with brilliance, but there is only one “but”, consisting in a cardinal difference from other similar paintings, because Jackie Chan would not be Jackie Chan if all did not provide a good portion of humor, and humor refined. In general, the whole film is kind of filigree, honed to shine, intelligent, or something. In addition to all the action, this is confirmed by the character of Chan with the name Cheng or Charlie, a modest, timid, somewhere even a clumsy guy, radiating absolute sympathy.
Continuing the theme of the main character, it is worth noting that many Jackie was inspired from the image of Little Tramp Charlie Chaplin, this is noticeable, ranging from the frank winking and literally screaming name of the character, and ending with his character, as well as one of the main (if not the most basic) storylines reminds us of the “City Lights”.
So, the flower girl, who met Cheng on arrival in the city, turned out to be a savior and a positive sign for the young man, who simply owed her a good mood. Well, now a young man can do nothing without a rose as a special and personal talisman, and everything is as it should be in this case: the black machine stops, the powerful man comes out of it and buys a red flower from a poor lady.
Jackie Chan managed to create a memorable image, able to implant his viewer a share of a positive mood. We will observe a series of pleasant and negative coincidences on the one hand, which are the components of a single concept called fate. One day, a guy who arrived in Hong Kong in search of a job and a new life is immediately deceived by fraudsters, and it was already, desperately, finds himself at the right time and in the right place: the boss of one large gangster clan, dying, appoints Cheng as his predecessor, the shocked Cheng. Members of the gang have no choice but to obey their deceased master. And so begins this very eccentric and entertaining story.
The whole narrative is executed in a sentimental way, introducing a true life melodrama / drama, diluted with humor. In the tape there are many memorable things that give a special look not only the action, but also its style shades, recall at least the demonstration of the bloody tasks of gangsters under the gentle performance of the song by actress Anita Mui. It is also very interesting to see how the character of Jackie tries to overcome the existing system with all his might, forcing his people to start doing good deeds.
And, of course, Jackie Chan would not have been a favorite master of stunts had he not included in this film his crown techniques and try something new. This is the picture of “Miracles”, which conveys the everyday worries of the newly-minted Hong Kong godfather, responsible, dangerous, but sending the structure and impulses of some distant but very warm world.
Miracles (The Godfather of Canton, Hong Kong, 1989) Bright and sparkling Asian remake of old Hollywood cinema.
Good morning to you!
Having put aside 10 of the best, in my opinion, films with Jackie Chan, I am pleased, many years later, to return to them and check: have they lost their power?
"Project A - 1, 2 - the first to pass the time test for "excellent".
Next up. “Armor of God” and “Police Story”, I will skip for a while (they say, I will make an assessment later), and now I will go directly to “Miracles” (or, as he is also called “The Godfather from Canton”, “Mr. Canton and Lady Rosa”), the 1989 year of release.
"Miracles" ("The Godfather of Canton") is a remake of old film master Frank Capra ("You Can't Take It With You," "It Happened One Night," "It's a Beautiful Life," and so on), titled "A Fistful of Miracles." Which, by the way, is also a reworking of the same Capra - the tape "Lady for a Day" ...
Like everything in cinema is peculiar... I wouldn’t be surprised if the painting “Lady for a Day” is a remade Shakespeare in a modern way.
However, as far as Jackie is concerned, this guy will go the furthest. And therefore, this remake is a very, very interesting picture ...
Hong Kong, the first half of the twentieth century. A young man named Charlie (Jackie Chan) arrives in the big city from the province, hoping to find a better life. After a series of unpleasant events, the young man buys with his last money from a simple flower girl Madame Cao (I am Lei Gui) a rose, (they say, as the woman said: “For good luck”), and immediately, accidentally witnesses a gangster showdown. Where, first out of the kindness of his soul, and then for the money offered, decides to help one of the parties, pulling the gang leader out of the mess. Being at the death of the boss, asks to punish the boy for clumsiness, but does not have time to finish these words to the end, dies, and the gang understands this as the transfer of all powers (appointment of a new boss) Charlie. Fearing that he is now an important lump, the guy tries to change the underworld. But it wasn't... Envious, competitors, traitors will not give rest. And then, in spite, the flower girl disappeared. Where would he go without a rose for good luck? And the man went to the house of this woman.
It's a top flight ...
What? Capra or Shakespeare? Nope. Creative, talented, charismatic and very well-coordinated team of Jackie Chan, formed in the early 80s and worked with him all decade.
Also the presence of a charming actress Anita Mui (in the film she plays Charlie’s girlfriend – singer and dancer Jan Lumin), who in Chan’s works becomes, then his mother, then his wife, then his boss (although, exactly 10 years younger). Amazing woman! It is a pity that she has such a tragic fate (Anita died, at the age of 40, due to a serious illness). But... That's life...
And Jackie? He put a beautiful, fun and dizzying remake, with interesting tricks, fights, jokes and a piece of himself.
Directed by Jackie Chan. Screenplay: Edward Tang. Composers: Su Tsung, Michael Lai Xiutin.
Without cruelty, rudeness... Soft, easy and unobtrusive. Although... it is such fun ribbons that are worth a long, hard, painstaking work... And health. (At the end of the film, during the credits, this, as always, can be seen.)
For all the well-coordinated team - a special thank you...
"Miracles" passed the test of time. That’s what they do and “Miracles.”
I highly recommend you too.
All the great directors have had periods when they caught real inspiration and created almost perfect films, both in form and content. Jackie Chan had this period in the '80s. It was then that such mega hits as “Armor of God”, “Police Story” and “Project A” appeared, which actually made Jackie the way everyone knows him. It is not surprising that in such a battle series, the film “Miracles” if not lost, then certainly does not stand out. In my opinion, this is not entirely fair, since for me personally “Miracles” is Jackie Chan’s favorite film.
A young man named Charlie comes from the province to Hong Kong in search of work. In a huge city, he immediately becomes the victim of a petty scammer, to top off all the misfortunes, his luggage is robbed. Being in a state of complete despair, he accidentally meets a woman who offers him to buy a rose that should bring him luck. Deciding that it will not get worse anyway, Charlie spends his last money on buying a rose and about a miracle, luck did not keep itself waiting. Literally immediately before his eyes there is a gang fight. Charlie, takes from the fire half-hearted leader of one of the gangs, who before his death, the question of who will now be his successor, accidentally points to our hero and now a naive young man from the province, becomes the leader of the largest gangster group. Then there is the main plot, which is associated with the same rose seller. From Shanghai to visit her daughter with her future fiancé and his father. But the tragedy was that a mother wrote to her daughter that she was very rich and held a high position in society. And now, when the groom's parents find out about her not high origin, they can dissolve the marriage. Here comes the hero Jackie, the leader of the local mafia, whose buying roses brings good luck has now become a good tradition. Upon learning of her trouble, he decides to help a poor woman, buys her expensive clothes, puts her in an expensive hotel and even finds a husband for her, since in her letters she lied that she married for the second time.
"Miracles" is a remake of the old Hollywood comedy "Fistful of Miracles" by Frank Capra, so it is not surprising that the film is stylized to old Hollywood studio paintings. And the name of the main character, apparently, a tribute to the greatest actor of all time. In addition to being my favorite film with Jackie, I don’t think it’s the best film he’s directed. Exactly in "Miracles." Jackie found the perfect balance, between quite a strong plot, humor and fights. And in this film Jackie gathered just a wonderful team of actors, Anita Mui, Wu Ma, Bill Tung, Richard Ng all these people for Hong Kong cinema as Leonov, Nikulin, Mironov for the Soviet. Everyone here has a very significant and prominent role. But the deepest image is created by actress Ah Lei Gua. That rose saleswoman. Her heroine is a modest intelligent woman forced to go on a deliberate deception, as it seemed to me, not so much for the sake of her daughter, but because she lives in the world of her fantasies. You're really worried about her. To me personally, she is very reminiscent of Selma Zheskova played by Björk in the film Dancing in the Dark by Lars Von Trier. From this image alone, Jackie is very good at people. I personally generally believe that it was the director’s guise that made Jackie Chan the number one star in Hong Kong. What makes Miracles different from all of Jackie’s other films is its scale. Decorations, extras, costumes. It feels like Chan really wanted to prove with this film that he could be a very serious director. And of course, talking about the film with Jackie Chan can not ignore the fight. There are very few of them in miracles, but they are all so inventively filmed that it is simply impossible to forget them.
But most importantly, this film gives you the opportunity to feel the aroma of a real bright, kind holiday.
10 out of 10
Selling various trinkets to passers-by, clever traders come up with the most incredible stories about their product to attract the attention of naive buyers. But sometimes these people really invest in their modest product kind thoughts, which may even bring good luck to its new owner.
By the end of the 80s, Jackie Chan managed to direct almost a dozen films, several of which became his best works, and starred in fifty different action films, becoming famous in his homeland. And one day he decided to create a film about the difficult everyday life of Hong Kong gangsters, whose ranks are not so easy to get, and it is impossible to get out of there.
The main character probably from birth loved to test his fate, because she brought him far from home. Unaccustomed to finding himself in a big city, where not only more opportunities, but also more chances to become a victim of an eternal war of gangsters, the guy Cheng (or Charlie for a Western audience) manages to arrange his life in a matter of minutes. Now his name is Big Brother and he runs half of the city's thugs. He never wanted to live on the other side of the law, but he is not going to give up the advantages of his position. Cheng’s kind and unselfish heart tells him to help a good woman whose roses bring him good luck, even if he has to break a dozen laws. Jackie Chan in this film is simply compelling. Although his character has trouble making quick decisions, when it comes to fighting, he has no equal. The final battles are very impressive, especially his rickshaw tricks in the market quarter. Without injuries, of course, did not do, but such trifles never stopped him.
It turns out that it’s not just children who lie to their parents by telling them how well their lives are so they don’t have to worry. The seller of happy roses, Mrs. Kao, lives quite modestly, but her daughter always described her life as rich, cloudless and married. And when it comes time for a pre-wedding visit, one of the largest performances begins in the city, designed to convince her daughter that her mother is one of the most influential women. Actress Ah Lei Gua very convincingly embodied a poor woman who loves her only daughter and will do everything for her happiness. It is noticeable how her character is constantly tormented by conscience and fear that deception will be revealed, but she stoically endures all the trials.
According to the law of the genre, such films simply cannot do without a self-sufficient girl with whom the main character must fall in love. This is the talented Lumin, whose idea was to help the flower girl. Without her agile nature, Cheng would have had a hard time, because she constantly reminds him that you should never forget about kindness and how important it is to do good deeds. Beauty Anita Mui perfectly coped with her role, having managed when it is necessary to yell at the main character, and squeeze out a tear.
Secondary roles here are performed by such talented Chinese actors as Bill Toon and Richard Ange, who have played many times in films with Jackie Chan. Their characters greatly complicate the life of the main character, but sometimes they come to the rescue. In addition, they manage to show that a self-interested policeman and a cunning crook are a dangerous combination of business partners.
Successfully using Hollywood cliches, Jackie Chan boldly experiments with the genre, reducing shootings to a minimum, but demonstrating his kung fu skills. Gradually, the action movie with gangster fights turns into a melodramatic comedy, not devoid of morality. One of the most funny and at the same time touching moments in the film is the meeting of Ms. Kao with her daughter on the pier. And the finale is very entertaining with its madness, without which no wedding can do.
Never forget those who once brought you good luck. And even though this person is a complete stranger, it is worth thanking him, especially if he has a kind heart.
The film “Miracles” (the second title “The Godfather from Canton”) is a kind of remake of the American film of 1961 “A Fistful of Miracles”. The tape was shot in the golden for Jackie Chan 80s, but critics rated it cool. Chan was eager to prove to Hong Kong that he could not only shoot action scenes, but also be a good director of the entire film. The basis of the film is a sitcom. Fans of combat scenes will see only three full-fledged fights. If you love Jackie Chan's movies for his signature action, you'll have to be patient, but you'll be rewarded with fights that have become some of the best in Jackie Chan's career. In the coffee shop, on the street and in the factory will be demonstrated duels from the category - Blink and You Miss It (blink - and miss something interesting). Filming took nine months and cost at that time a very large sum by the standards of Hong Kong, $ 8,500,000. Not without unforeseen difficulties, a natural disaster intervened in the production process. The typhoon destroyed a large part of the scenery, and they had to be restored again. The film won the HKFA (Hong Kong Film Awards, the Hong Kong equivalent of the Oscar) award for best fighting scene production. Plus was awarded three nominations: best actor (Jackie Chan), best artistic performance (Eddie Ma) and best editing (Peter Cheung). The picture has not yet been evaluated on film search. I’m sure it’s a matter of time and the film sooner or later will gain the right number of votes to take its rightful place in the top: Best films of Jackie Chan. 10 out of 10 Original