Writer: Ezekiel Lee Zhiang Yang

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Watch this if you liked: “All’s Well Ends Well”

Referencing the Shaw Bros 1973 classic "The House Of 72 Tenants", the decidedly crowded "72 Tenants Of Prosperity" is a colourful (though not necessarily nutritious) addition to the Chinese New Year movie calendar which will invariably draw laughs among all followers of Hong Kong TV and cinema, especially those with a history of TVB fandom.

In this 2010 reupdate, the paedophile politicians and brothel owners are missing and they've been replaced by fish ball noodle hawkers and manga sellers. We get intermittent flashbacks to 70s HK where the events of Sai Yeung Choi Street originally took place: 72 tenants who battled greedy landlords, with a love triangle that gave rise to a family feud. In the present day, the feud continues with the same triangle still festering but now it's a full-on Romeo and Juliet adventure as the next generation start to commit inter-family relationships of their own.

Without detailing a plot that will ruin your fun, suffice to say you will catch very memorable appearances in this movie by a host of HK stars past and present. The length of this review will limit our mention to Jacky Cheung, Eric Tsang, Anita Yuen, Lam Ka Tung, Charmaine Sheh, Fala Chen, Michael Tse, Bosco Wong, Linda Chung, Stephy Tang, Wong Cho Lam, Joyce Cheng, Lawrence Ng, Ron Ng, Kevin Cheng, Kenneth Ma, Kate Tsui. Kelly Chen, Sunny Chan, Joe Ma, Ben Wong, Natalie Tong, Leung Ka Ki, Timmy Hung, Joel Chan, Carina Lau, Alan Tam, Natalis Chan, Chin Siu Ho, Wayne Lai, Nancy Sit, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Sammy Leung, Dicky Cheung, Andy Hui, Tin Kai Man, Sam Lee, Ella Koon, Bernice Liu, Kayi Cheung, William So, Wu Fung, Louis Yuen, Raymond Lam, Justin Lo and Myolie Wu. Is this list not reason enough to catch the movie?

Unlike similar projects with jarring cameos, this one goes at it casual with a most light-hearted and non-committal approach. The story is funny in a giggly way and a truly inspired highlight moment is when Jacky Cheung and Wong Cho Lam do a play of Jackie's hit number.

The film must also be credited with one of the most original and inoffensive way to execute the obligatory product placements. They un-apologetically sang our all the sponsor names to the tune of a traditional New Year tune while holding out title cards and lifting household appliances! Watch "72 Tenants Of Prosperity" for some good family fun but do tell the kids not to copy all the swearing.


Cinema Online, 05 February 2010