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The Sparring Partner main poster

The Sparring Partner

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7.1/10 • 44

2022-10-272h 15m

CrimeDrama

Based on the crime and trial that rocked Asia.

Adapted from a sensational real-life case in 2013, the intricate story begins when a young man partners with his friend to murder and dismember his parents. Pleading not guilty, the defense attorneys soon turn on each other, as the defendants play the devil and idiot game. Meanwhile, heated debates emerge inside the jury room, where nine jurors grapple with the truth.

Directors
Ho Cheuk-Tin
Writters
Thomas Leung Wing-ho, Frankie Tam Gong-Yuen, Oliver Yip
Editors
Thomas Leung Wing-ho, Frankie Tam Gong-Yuen, Oliver Yip, J. Him Lee

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Yeung Wai-Lun

    Yeung Wai-Lun

    Henry Cheung

  2. Mak Pui-Tung

    Mak Pui-Tung

    Angus Tong

  3. Louisa So Yuk-Wah

    Louisa So Yuk-Wah

    Carrie Yau

  4. Jan Lam Hoi-Fung

    Jan Lam Hoi-Fung

    Wilson Ng

  5. Michael Chow Man-Kin

    Michael Chow Man-Kin

    Allen Chu

  6. Gloria Yip Wan-Yee

    Gloria Yip Wan-Yee

    Yip Wai Ping

  7. Chung Suet-Ying

    Chung Suet-Ying

    Cheng Ka Man

  8. Harriet Yeung Sze-Man

    Harriet Yeung Sze-Man

    Tong Man Shan

  9. Chu Pak-Him

    Chu Pak-Him

    Cheung Hin Jo

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Nov 21, 2022

7/10

Based on a rather shocking true story from Hong Kong, this is quite an intriguing depiction of the arrest and trial of Henry Chung (Yeung Wai Lun) for the brutal murder and dismemberment of his parents. He is pretty up-front about his guilt and the trial seems a bit of a fait-accompli. The gist of the film, though, centres on the involvement of his accomplice Angus Tong (Man Pui-tung). Now here is a character that has the IQ of a teabag, is overweight and generally comes across as infantile and incapable of taking responsibility for himself. Was he involved at all, and if so - in what capacity? That capacity issue is what makes this courtroom drama stand out. The performance from Man Pui-tung is superb. The depiction (illustrated via flashback) of his rather psychologically brutal interrogation; his constant incoherent mumbling and bumbling; the conflicting medical and psychological reports of his competencies - and all under the gaze of a jury made up of nine ordinary citizens with the prejudices and priorities of nine normal folks is well worked by Cheuk Tin Ho to create a genuine sense of our involvement in the future of this young man. Was he guilty or not? What might I have decided based on the evidence? Is there even any real evidence against him or is he just an easy target for the pursuing constabulary? It is too long, and takes a while to build up steam, but once it gets going it is an interesting character study - not just of the two accused, but of the jury, the police and of the judicial system that provides the framework for this maelstrom of advice, expertise, procedure and the genuine evil emanating from the effective Yeung Wai-lun. The imagery, especially amidst the wig-wearing scenario of the only recently reintegrated Chinese courtroom where the judge is still referred to as "my Lord" is suitably anachronistic too, and invites us to make or own assessments of the people and the process in quite a sophisticated fashion. There is a great deal of dialogue which is difficult for the subtitlers to do justice to, but it is photographed in an intimate and intense fashion and is thought-provoking to watch.

Media

  • The Sparring Partner poster
  • The Sparring Partner poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
cn
Budget
--
Revenue
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