Reviewed by: Sydneyguy Date: 02/20/2009 Summary: ITs a bit over the top I agree with inner strength, this drama just turns out to be more violent than it should be!! Im assuming its used for effect the first half looks like a drama about relationships, then it turns dark and violent. ITs almost like its two different movies. Bill Tungs performance is a standout, as a concerned father, Maggie and Lau ching wan seemed to be wasted here and Jacky;s performance is acceptable. Expect a particularily sad ending Reviewer Score: 6

Reviewed by: phil28 Date: 01/26/2003 Summary: I agree with the previous reviewer It's a good film about the class differences in modern Hong Kong society. It starts off with some light humour and drama. The relationship of Ho Tin-cheung with the CEO's brother, Betty is a taboo. Ho lives in the slums, while Betty lives in the upper class suburbia with her brother. That's when the trouble starts with Ho Tin-cheung. Literally the first part of the film is great with me, but when Ho Tin-cheung gets himself into the dark world of the gangsters, that's when the film becomes violent. I don't like this second part of the film. Otherwise it would've been a great film. ***/5

Reviewed by: Inner Strength Date: 03/22/2002 Summary: Good drama (but too much violence) My Dear Son starts out looking like a comedy as Bill Tung walks the streets of Hong Kong singing, quite badly. Things soon change as it soon turns into a serious (within reason) drama. Bill Tung is the father of Jacky Cheung in this film, and they both live in a small house with his two sisters, with obvious money problems. The only income to the house is from Bill Tungs singing in the streets. Jacky Cheung has struggled to get a job, and when he does, he finds it hard to fit in. He has been used to living in a small province, but now that he is working in central, he has a lot to learn. Lau Ching Wan is Jacky’s best friend, and they both look very young in this, and they are both looking to make serious money. Lau Ching Wan is part of a triad organisation and wants Jacky to join. Maggie Cheung is a girl who also hangs around the friends, but is always getting into trouble, usually because she is drunk. The film goes on basically showing the new friends Jacky makes and how his relationship with his father changes as they drift apart to lead very different lifestyles. He looses his job after his boss finds out he has been seeing his sister, and also forbids them to see each other again. This angers Jacky so much, that he descides to join up with his friend and make money with the snake heads. After a very brutal fight, Jacky soon descides to go after his boss as he is so angry. He becomes a full time criminal and his life is slowly getting nearer to finishing. He draws closer to Maggie Cheung as the film goes on, and they soon become more than just friends. The ending was far too brutal though, as the family is attacked, and then die one by one. As far as acting goes, Maggie Cheung, Jacky Cheung, and Lau Ching Wan are all excellent, making this a good film to watch. Bill Tung too, a very good performance. It’s a warm enough movie sure enough, but don’t expect too much more than that. I would expect most people would have not interest in a film like this, but well worth seeing if you do. Though I did actually find it a little dull. Unlike most of the old films I review on here, this was actually the first time I have ever seen this, and was surprised to learn a few weeks ago that it had been re-released. I’m not sure how I ever missed this one, because I thought I had seen every movie with Maggie Cheung in years ago. Rating: [3.5/5]