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12/03/2006
Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion
Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion
Starring: Raymond Lam Fung, Charmaine Sheh Si Man, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Derek Kwok Jing Hung, Sonija Kwok Sin Nei, Sharon Chan Man Chi
Rating: 4.5 stars (5 max)
Summary:
The Mongols and the Haans have a long history of political struggle. Most of TVBs ancient series drama are based loosely on that brawl. Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion (LWOLAP) is based, also, on a Wu Xia story. I have to say that if I knew how to read Chinese, I would be devouring all of the stories because all the stories spun are engaging and very dramatic. And I want drama.
The Haans overthrew the Mongol King in an unscrupulous way – killing young boys for fear that the living Mongol Prince is still alive. A massacre occurred and countless Haans and Mongols died in the battle. Haans emerged victorious and the Haan King took over China.
Story
This story is fictional, as far as I know, but it is absolutely riveting! Nothing less. After China took over the reign, the King became obsessed about the Mongols coming back to get the throne back. Part of the reason why he was obsessed was because he killed many young Mongols while battling it out with them – he didn’t want the Mongol Prince to be alive.
Unfortunately, the Mongol Prince is…and Raymond Lam took the role of Fung Hang Lit who is basically non-chalant about life but focuses his attention on the girl(s) he loved. What he wanted out of life was peace and quiet. Fung Hang Lit lost his memory after the battle due to a wound to the head. Pong Ban, a devoted Mongol, wants to bring back the anger in Fung Hang Lit and went about doing it in an unscrupulous way – including sacrificing the person he loved to Fung Hang Lit. All this because he wants to bring back the Mongol Prince so that he can lead their troops to regain the throne.
After finding out that Gan Bik Wan (Sonija) is not REALLY in love with him, and that she is actually a Haan who defected to the Mongol’s side because of Pong Ban, Fung Hang Lit is distraught. And this is when Chun Mong Yiu (Charmaine Sheh) comes in to support him and bring him back to his feet. A slow and stable understanding develops between the two. They each sacrifice a lot to help each other and the love deepens.
Later on, Fung Hang Lit finally finds out that he is actually the Mongol Prince. Reluctantly, he takes on the role. Deep inside, all he wants is still a peaceful life and no war. But he is bound by duty to protect his people and to avenge the death of all the people who were killed – including his parents. And worse yet, the enemy is someone he loves and the people who have welcomed him into their homes despite the fact that he is actually a Mongol.
Unwillingly, Fung Hang Lit had to use the advantage that he had – and that is the trust that his Haans friends had in him. He used it to find out information and to form plans.
His betrayal is hurtful but he had no other choice. He could not let his people down and yet he couldn’t let the people trust him down either.
Review
This is one of the most engaging TVB ancient series shows I have seen for a long time. It’s all very well balanced out between the drama and the love story.
Raymond Lam (my fave) did an extremely good job in this series. He’s only 26 (if I am not mistaken) but everyone else who is older or same age as him has to call him ‘Fung Tai Kor’ therefore, he has to look much older than them. His girlfriends, BOTH OF THEM (different times, of course) Charmaine Sheh (30) and Sonija Kwok (31) is older than him and yet, he is supposed to be the Tai Kor (big brother) in the show! I had my doubts because to me, Raymond is actually a very youthful personality. He’s funny and very cheeky too – can he actually carry off this role?
The answer is – yes, he can! The makeup and hair had a lot to do with it, of course, but his bland acting, slow and steady speech, subtle reaction all gave Fung Hang Lit a very mature and sensible personality.
Charmaine Sheh – What do you expect someone who can just ‘cry on call’. During a show in China, there was a contest between Gigi Lai and Charmaine to see who can cry the fastest. And Charmaine shed tears within the first 10 seconds! Raymond Lam and Charmaine Sheh plays lovers in the show and they did a swell job! Their eyes spoke to each other and told a whole story in itself. It’s no wonder that Raymond Lam won the ASTRO Best Actor award and Charmaine Sheh won the Best Actress award recently.
Bosco Wong (picture right hand side) – Very funny and his acting has been improving all this while. In this show, his improvement shows because he goes from absolutely rib-tickling to angry to sad to powerful. His range in this series is much wider than Raymond’s and he has got the chance to show the audience what he can do in one single series.
Derek Kwok – Never doubted he could act. Although he’s not ‘leading actor’ material (don’t know why), I consider him to be a charismatic screen presence to be reckoned with. He can play good and bad at the same time – which is precisely what he did in this show. He didn’t fail me.
Evergreen Mak – Another riveting actor! He’s not handsome-handsome and I’ve seen him being funny-funny but not serious-serious like this. He’s the next in line to the throne. He’s fair and honest, noble and trustworthy. Sounds like a simple character to play? But Evergreen added new dimensions to the role to help audience understand his character more. An incredible job, I’d have to say.
Conclusion
All in all, I think anyone who is interested in TVB drama series should go rent this. It’s really quite good although the ratings in HK were not very encouraging. HK people just have different taste from the rest of the world – and as far as I know, the rest of the world is often right. HK people want silly stories that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever…like Virtues of Harmony (yikes!! Hate it). I want good acting, I want good script, I want excellent editing and good chemistry among all actors. Pretty people, in HK, make the ratings soar.
Well, if you’re not into renting videos, stay glued for this show on your ASTRO Wah Lai Toi a year later. I am quite sure Raymond and Charmaine are making a go for the Best Actor and Best Actress award this year.
05:15 Posted in TVB | Permalink | Comments (5) | Email this
Comments
Marsha, you never told me you have a blog!
Great write up on LWOLAP and you know what? I truly enjoy your write up on Astro Award - it quite reflect my opinion on the winners.
Cheers!
Posted by: sehseh | 07/04/2006
Marsha! Unbelievable! How can you not tell me you have a review on LWOLAP here??? I agree with you on many points. Great review? And I'll whoosh over to your astro awards review immediately.
Posted by: Range | 27/05/2006
hey, i think ur web is pretty cool!!
I luv this movie its so gr8, my fav character is Pong Pan(DEREK KWOK)he so cute!!!!!
Posted by: Karine | 01/09/2006
hey, i think ur web is pretty cool!!
I luv this movie its so gr8, my fav character is Pong Pan(DEREK KWOK)he so cute!!!!!
Posted by: Karine | 01/09/2006
I totally agree with your comments.... I LOVE Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion. Because of this series, I really took notice of Raymond and Charmaine...
Posted by: Karen | 04/12/2006