Supposed third in the “Gambling Saint” series is a surprising entry. Despite the paws of Aman Cheung, Wong Jing and funnyman Nick Cheung, this entry eschews all-out farce and actually walks the tightrope into darkness, allowing some rough stuff to permeate this otherwise standard gambling flick. Nick Cheung is Nobody, a gambling wiz who falls in love with a blind model named Candy (Shu Qi). Meanwhile, he and his partners (including that versatile Wong Jing) go to work for the dastardly Lung Fong, who’s a top gang boss in Shenzen. He hires Nobody to swindle high-rollers at his Shenzen casino. However, things go to hell when Candy’s dad (Hui Siu-Hung) arrives at the casino with stolen money from Candy’s account - which was supposed to pay for her eye surgery. Nobody helps out Pop, but that sets in motion a series of events that can only be described as harrowing. Nobody goes down in a big way and he attempts to struggle back, even invoking the classic line “I want to get back what I lost.” Cue Better Tomorrow theme music. There are random moments of cheesiness that serve to undermine this movie, but by and large it’s an entertaining commercial HK movie. This is Nick Cheung’s best and most restrained performance, and he manages to show some real acting chops. Still, watching Nick Cheung get soulful can possibly create giggles, and it’s impossible to take Wong Jing seriously, even when he’s chasing the woman he loves. At least Shu Qi is her usual dependable self. (Kozo 2000) KOZO. LOVE HK FILM
