I always enjoy "Wong Jing" movies. He is a prolific filmmaker who has his finger on the pulse of Hong Kong today and I thoroughly enjoy his taste in women. Looking at the poster for the film in the window of the Music Palace in NYC, I decide to check this one out. I had seen the original film with Chingmy Yau. I remember it as an enjoyable experience. This spring I had passed on seeing the first sequel, Raped by an Angel 2: The Uniform Fan.

This is Aman Chang's 4th film in 6 months as a director for producer Wong. Frankly I was pleasantly surprised with the movie. The film is a well directed thriller with crisp editing and beautiful cinematography. Set in the near future, it is the story of a high-powered politician who is implicated in a gruesome rape case. Aspiring to be the Chief Executive of HK, the wealthy businessman is consumed with his public image and election poll results. Apparently from all the stress of the election, he suffers from hallucinatory visions involving the women in his life.

In a pre-release press interview, Wong Jing said "The idea follows the Clinton sex scandal with a little psychological game. It is about a soon to be Hong Kong Chief Executive on the eve of taking office being accused in a rape case!" I give the man credit. He knows how to promote a film, but the story really has nothing to do with the American President. Alex Fong Chung Shun is cast in the role of the politician. His character is unpleasant and unlikable away from the public eye. With the help of director Chang, he becomes a sympathetic victim in the final act.

Newcomer Pinky Cheung Man Chi is cast as his secretary who, as Chingmy Yau's character did in the first film, becomes the focus of the protagonist's fantasy. Actress Kenix Kwok Ho Ying portrays his long suffering wife. Angie Cheong Wei Yee plays a psychologist who tries to unlock the mystery.

copyright 1998 J. Crawford