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Performance & Direction: Read Lips Review

Last updated: February 16, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 16, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Read Lips (1980) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Read Lips features a noteworthy lineup led by Frankie Chan Fan-Kei . Supported by the likes of Eric Tsang Chi-Wai and Kent Cheng Jak-Si , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Read Lips (1980) is negative. With an audience rating of 4.5/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Result: AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Read Lips stands as a AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: Read Lips

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1980, Read Lips is a Comedy, Action film directed by Yang Chuan. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Frankie Chan Fan-Kei.

Ending Explained: Read Lips

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Yang Chuan, Read Lips attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.

The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension involving Frankie Chan Fan-Kei, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Read Lips reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Read Lips?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Comedy films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Top Cast: Read Lips

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Eric Tsang Chi-Wai
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Suet Lee
Suet LeeShelly
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Gam BiuMr King
Michelle Yim
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To Siu-Ming
To Siu-MingSlanteye
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Read Lips Parents Guide & Age Rating

1980 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Read Lips age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Read Lips has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Comedy, Action), it contains violence, action sequences.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Read Lips is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.5/10, and global performance metrics, Read Lips is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1980 cinematic calendar.

AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Read Lips. Rating: 4.5/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Read Lips worth watching?

Read Lips is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 4.5/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Read Lips parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Read Lips identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Read Lips?

The total duration of Read Lips is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.

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How Read Lips Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Read Lips

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 4.5
Read Lips
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/read-lips-449488" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 4.5</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Read Lips</div></div></a>

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