Reviewed by: j.crawford Date: 07/13/2006 Summary: heavy emphasis on the comedy When Clarence Ford made the move from TV production over to the Hong Kong movie business, he went to work for Johnny Mak Tong-Hung's production company. Earlier, Ford had worked with Chow Yun-Fat on a TV series so he was able to cast the famous movie star in his film. The Greatest Lover is a romantic comedy with the heavy emphasis on the comedy parts. Chow along with Eric Tsang Chi-Wai and Shing Fui-On star as mainland bumpkins seeking fortune and fame in Hong Kong. The film is full of the flamboyant flourishes that Mr. Ford will become famous for, including an extended cross-dressing sequence and some female characters that have manly "take charge" personalities. The movie features some glorious cinematography by the future Academy Award winner Peter Pau Tak-Hai. The cast is well put together and Pau makes everyone look so good. This film greatly benefits from the participation of the genius that is Eric Tsang Chi-Wai. Reviewer Score: 6

Reviewed by: pjshimmer Date: 11/04/2002 Summary: Chow Yun Fat at his ugliest One of the longer movies in HK cinema, this one is of outrageously absurd slapstick and cornball emotional moments. Bad mix, but there are several rewarding moments: the movie opens with people sucking tiger poop through a pipe; everyone dresses up in Indian customs, "Shit" is the most used word, and Anita Mui says FUCK in English. You've never seen Chow Yun Fat this ugly. [6/10]

Reviewed by: wrlouis Date: 12/09/1999 A sweet version of the Pygmalion story: an uneducated Mainlander refugee (CYF) metamorphosises into a polished lover when a jilted boyfriend decides to make him an instrument of vengeance. Anita Mui is a blast as the (ahem) whip-toting dominatrix tutor, and CYF is charming in his portrayal of a sentimental mainlander uneasy with the ways of high society. An undemanding ninety minutes of entertainment.