Sam Lee (Tug Wei) lived through the golden age of Hong Kong Cinema; he has been involved in some big hits back in his prime that still inspire Stuntmen Teams today. Sam runs his own clinic with no ambitions of returning to the industry, but an old friend asks him for help with his new project, where the financers would like to merge old and new school for the ultimate action film starring the biggest action star in Hong Kong Wai Chi Leung (Philip Ng).
Leung and Sam know each other from before, can Leung and Sam put aside their differences and the stunt that went wrong so long ago. Long Sai Lee (Terrance Lau) is an up and coming stuntman that is impressed by the films that Sam has worked on, so when Sam asks for him to be his assistant he jumps at the chance. Only problem is Long`s brother is pressuring him into working for his parcel delivering business, saying there is no future in the Stunt
business. Long is the balance that is needed to fuse the old and the new school together, he truly loves and is passionate about film, but Leung`s and Sam`s egos are just not seeing that. What with all obstacles from the backers, the police, accidents along the way during production, plus Sam trying to reconnect with his daughter who is just about to get married, will Leung accept Sam as the action director coordinator for film, and will the film ever be completed?
From the opening homage to Police Story`s shopping mall scene you will fall for the Stuntman instantly, with this opening the set ups for the stunts, them trying to get the timing right. We see the thing that set the chain of events of for Sam`s life and the direction it has taken. Sam is excellently played by Tung Wei; he plays the role with such depth passion, such a moving and powerful performance from him. Philip Ng is Leung and he plays him more understated in a way, he draws on the experience the stunt that went wrong, and that has taught him a valued lesson. A film is not worth anyone getting hurt or dying for.
Terrance Lau is the heart of the film; he is the one that anchors grounds the two characters while navigating his own life, family and dramas. Yes the film is sentimental at times but I don’t feel that it is over the top with sentimentality. They are everyday people that juggle their families, jobs, making sacrifices, and compromising the same as us all as we travel the road of life.
It is beautiful crafted film plus brilliantly directed by Herbert Leung and Albert Leung, they have a very unique style and look to the film. You can tell that they have passion for the old school ways of film making in Hong Kong, because Stuntman sure is a massive homage to the golden age of Hong Kong action cinema. It thanks that time of filmmaking, but understands that time changes, peoples safety had to be taken into account. It is a testament to that time, but it is also shows it admiration for all action cinema and the stunt teams that bring the action to life on the big screen for us the audience to enjoy. One of the
best films I’ve seen this year, my other favourite involved Philip Ng as well. The reason I loved this so much is due to Tung Wei`s moving and brilliant performance as Sam Lee, he truly is wonderful in it. For me his is the best acting that I have seen in a film this year, also I sure hope that he gets recognition and maybe an award for his role as Sam Lee in Stuntman.
