Is My Dear Son Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1989)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of My Dear Son (1989), audiences are invited back into the world of various. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Peter Ho is a low-level employee at a prestigious firm in Central, but he hides a secret from his stodgy bosses. Peter's family is exceptionally poor, and his father is actually an infamous street performer who sings off-color songs for donations on the street. Peter manages to progress in his job, and even begins to date his boss' daughter. But when the truth of his background is discovered, Peter is summarily fired. Bitter and angry, Peter joins the triads along with his pal, and finds new romance with the luminous Maggie Cheung. When given the chance, Peter even uses his new underworld position to threaten his previous boss! But Peter sinks too far into the triad underworld, and soon not even his family can be spared from violence. A harrowing drama that progresses from social critique to triad indictment, My Dear Son runs the full gamut of emotions to deliver a tough and truthful message about the choices we make in life."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is My Dear Son worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, My Dear Son misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 94 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.