Love on Delivery
Encyclopedia
Love on Delivery is a 1994
Hong Kong
comedy film
directed by Stephen Chow
and Lee Lik-Chi
, starring Stephen Chow
, Christy Chung
and Ng Man Tat
.
), a weak, disadvantaged but kind lunch delivery boy, happens to fall in love with Lily (Christy Chung
), the girl of his dreams from a local sports center. However, his dream is crushed after a disastrous date with her, when bullying Judo
master Black Bear, who also admires Lily, intervenes. That night, in a brutally straight-forward fashion, Lily tells Ang that she dislikes weak and pathetic men.
After being further humiliated at the sports center by Black Bear, Ang seeks shelter at a convenience shop owned by Tat (Ng Man Tat
), an eccentric handicap. Tat promises to teach Ang kung fu
to cure him of his weakness and cowardice, in exchange for money. However, Tat, a self-professed Sanshou master, is merely a swindler taking advantage of Ang's gullibility, and teaches Ang useless, fantasy kung fu techniques.
But to Tat's surprise and annoyance, Ang is intent on being a full-time student. When Ang loses his job and runs out of money, he tells Tat he will follow him for life. Tat attempts to rid of him by persuading him to use a false technique called "The Invincible Wind and Fire Spin," a move that would almost certainly kill or at least seriously injure anyone - which involves holding onto the enemy and rolling down a huge flight of stairs, using the enemy to soften all the blows of the stairs. Ang is considering implementing the move, but decides against it. However, he becomes reassured of this so-called technique when he witnesses Tat himself falling down the stairs and surviving it, though that was an accident. Emboldened, Ang thanks Tat and leaves.
Determined to change Lily's views about him, Ang approaches Lily and Black Bear while they are arguing at the parking lot, wearing a Garfield
mask a`la superhero. After a scuffle, Ang manages to defeat Black Bear by utilizing the "Spin." The next day, Ang tries to tell Lily that it was he who saved her, but before he can, Lily meets up with Master Lau, a karate
champion from Japan who looks down on the weak. To win Lily's heart, Lau lies to her that he is the "Garfield warrior" who saved her. Infuriated, Ang plans on challenging Lau to a MMA
style combat match to prove his mettle. After learning Tat is just a junkie and a liar, he drags him along as punishment.
However, upon arriving at the fitness center with a letter of challenge, Ang and Tat secretly watch Lau in an office with five other people: a Taekwondo
master, a boxer
, a Kenjutsu
practitioner, Black Bear, and a principal managing the fitness center. Since Lau is now in charge of the center, he wants karate, in his opinion the supreme martial art, the center's sole fighting discipline. Enraged, the four other elite martial artists
attack him, but Lau defeats them with ease. Frightened, Ang is about to cancel the challenge, but Lau manages to get the letter and read it. Amused, he accepts, but the principal insists on canceling it. But Lau reveals a startling revelation: Tat is in fact a world-renowned martial arts champion and has defeated many in tournaments. However, Lau's master
broke his leg in a match at Japan. Tat has been living in obscurity ever since. To redeem himself, Tat promises to prepare Ang for the match against Lau, but only after receiving one month's training. Also, Lau personally seeks to kill Ang, so in a side bet made by Tat, if Ang can survive all three rounds, Sanshou will regain its public image at the center. An agreement is made.
The upcoming match receives much publicity and reporters follow Ang and Tat, wanting to see how a delivery boy be converted to a rival martial artist. But, to everyone's amusement and puzzlement, Ang and Tat are only seen partying and eating. When asked, Tat replies that this is their training, unnerving some, even Lau.
A month passes, and the match arrives. Lily rushes to the stadium to cancel it, worrying for Ang's life. However, she and her friends are stranded in a malfunctioning elevator. At the boxing ring, Ang is voted the odds-on favorite to win by the judges because of his lack of fear, which ironically increases Lau's own trepidation. As the match commences with round one, Lau rushes in to attack, but stops abruptly when Ang simply turns around and keeps still. This is in fact Tat's strategy: to confuse Lau. In the second round, Tat instructs Ang to wear down Lau with submissions and sucker punches; all the while, Tat deliberately distracts Lau by juggling and things in the air. A commercial break ends round two.
Frustrated, Lau tries to end the match once and for all. But Ang surprisingly grapples and locks him throughout the whole third round. In a flashback, Tat tells Ang that to prevent himself from losing the bet and his life, he must execute the "Golden Snake Restraint" defensive technique, hence the grapples and locks, which will prevent Lau from knocking him down. Visibly irate, Lau unsuccessfully tries to throw Ang off. Finally, round three ends, and Lau is announced the winner, though Ang wins the bet since he survives the match. Incensed, Lau starts ravaging the place, beating up even the referee and judges. To stop Lau, Ang decides to use the "Invincible Wind and Fire Spin" on him, using an immense lottery
wheel as help. The two spin wildly inside the wheel, and it explodes. Out of the rubble emerges Ang, exhausted but victorious, and Lau collapses in defeat. Lily, realizing Ang is the "Garfield warrior," rushes over to kiss him, and Tat reintroduces Sanshou to the public.
1994 in film
1994 was a significant year in film.The top grosser worldwide was The Lion King, which to date stands as the highest-grossing traditionally-animated film of all time...
Hong Kong
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Stephen Chow
Stephen Chow
Stephen Chow Sing-Chi is a Hong Kong actor, comedian, screenwriter, film director and producer.- Professional career :Stephen Chow began as a temporary actor for TVB. He entered TVB in early 1980s, and was trained there, although he had few opportunities to appear in films. Chow graduated from...
and Lee Lik-Chi
Lee Lik-Chi
Lee Lik-chi is a Hong Kong-based actor, film director and screenplay writer.-Filmography:*The King of Comedy *Gorgeous *The Lucky Guy *Troublesome Night 3 *Killing Me Tenderly...
, starring Stephen Chow
Stephen Chow
Stephen Chow Sing-Chi is a Hong Kong actor, comedian, screenwriter, film director and producer.- Professional career :Stephen Chow began as a temporary actor for TVB. He entered TVB in early 1980s, and was trained there, although he had few opportunities to appear in films. Chow graduated from...
, Christy Chung
Christy Chung
Christy Chung is Chinese-Canadian actress. She was born in Montreal to a Chinese father and a Vietnamese mother.Chung grew up in Brossard, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, with French and Vietnamese as mother-tongues...
and Ng Man Tat
Ng Man Tat
Ng Man Tat was born on 2 January 1952. He is a veteran actor in the Hong Kong film industry, with dozens of awards under his belt, including Best Supporting Actor at the 10th Hong Kong Film Awards for his role in A Moment of Romance.-Biography:...
.
Plot
Ho-Kam Ang (Stephen ChowStephen Chow
Stephen Chow Sing-Chi is a Hong Kong actor, comedian, screenwriter, film director and producer.- Professional career :Stephen Chow began as a temporary actor for TVB. He entered TVB in early 1980s, and was trained there, although he had few opportunities to appear in films. Chow graduated from...
), a weak, disadvantaged but kind lunch delivery boy, happens to fall in love with Lily (Christy Chung
Christy Chung
Christy Chung is Chinese-Canadian actress. She was born in Montreal to a Chinese father and a Vietnamese mother.Chung grew up in Brossard, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, with French and Vietnamese as mother-tongues...
), the girl of his dreams from a local sports center. However, his dream is crushed after a disastrous date with her, when bullying Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
master Black Bear, who also admires Lily, intervenes. That night, in a brutally straight-forward fashion, Lily tells Ang that she dislikes weak and pathetic men.
After being further humiliated at the sports center by Black Bear, Ang seeks shelter at a convenience shop owned by Tat (Ng Man Tat
Ng Man Tat
Ng Man Tat was born on 2 January 1952. He is a veteran actor in the Hong Kong film industry, with dozens of awards under his belt, including Best Supporting Actor at the 10th Hong Kong Film Awards for his role in A Moment of Romance.-Biography:...
), an eccentric handicap. Tat promises to teach Ang kung fu
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
to cure him of his weakness and cowardice, in exchange for money. However, Tat, a self-professed Sanshou master, is merely a swindler taking advantage of Ang's gullibility, and teaches Ang useless, fantasy kung fu techniques.
But to Tat's surprise and annoyance, Ang is intent on being a full-time student. When Ang loses his job and runs out of money, he tells Tat he will follow him for life. Tat attempts to rid of him by persuading him to use a false technique called "The Invincible Wind and Fire Spin," a move that would almost certainly kill or at least seriously injure anyone - which involves holding onto the enemy and rolling down a huge flight of stairs, using the enemy to soften all the blows of the stairs. Ang is considering implementing the move, but decides against it. However, he becomes reassured of this so-called technique when he witnesses Tat himself falling down the stairs and surviving it, though that was an accident. Emboldened, Ang thanks Tat and leaves.
Determined to change Lily's views about him, Ang approaches Lily and Black Bear while they are arguing at the parking lot, wearing a Garfield
Garfield (character)
Garfield is a fictional character and the title protagonist from the comic strip Garfield created by Jim Davis.-Personality:Garfield is an anthropomorphic ginger cat. He loves eating , and sleeping. He is teased about being overweight. He is also selfish...
mask a`la superhero. After a scuffle, Ang manages to defeat Black Bear by utilizing the "Spin." The next day, Ang tries to tell Lily that it was he who saved her, but before he can, Lily meets up with Master Lau, a karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
champion from Japan who looks down on the weak. To win Lily's heart, Lau lies to her that he is the "Garfield warrior" who saved her. Infuriated, Ang plans on challenging Lau to a MMA
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
style combat match to prove his mettle. After learning Tat is just a junkie and a liar, he drags him along as punishment.
However, upon arriving at the fitness center with a letter of challenge, Ang and Tat secretly watch Lau in an office with five other people: a Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
master, a boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, a Kenjutsu
Kenjutsu
, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
practitioner, Black Bear, and a principal managing the fitness center. Since Lau is now in charge of the center, he wants karate, in his opinion the supreme martial art, the center's sole fighting discipline. Enraged, the four other elite martial artists
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
attack him, but Lau defeats them with ease. Frightened, Ang is about to cancel the challenge, but Lau manages to get the letter and read it. Amused, he accepts, but the principal insists on canceling it. But Lau reveals a startling revelation: Tat is in fact a world-renowned martial arts champion and has defeated many in tournaments. However, Lau's master
Sensei
' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
broke his leg in a match at Japan. Tat has been living in obscurity ever since. To redeem himself, Tat promises to prepare Ang for the match against Lau, but only after receiving one month's training. Also, Lau personally seeks to kill Ang, so in a side bet made by Tat, if Ang can survive all three rounds, Sanshou will regain its public image at the center. An agreement is made.
The upcoming match receives much publicity and reporters follow Ang and Tat, wanting to see how a delivery boy be converted to a rival martial artist. But, to everyone's amusement and puzzlement, Ang and Tat are only seen partying and eating. When asked, Tat replies that this is their training, unnerving some, even Lau.
A month passes, and the match arrives. Lily rushes to the stadium to cancel it, worrying for Ang's life. However, she and her friends are stranded in a malfunctioning elevator. At the boxing ring, Ang is voted the odds-on favorite to win by the judges because of his lack of fear, which ironically increases Lau's own trepidation. As the match commences with round one, Lau rushes in to attack, but stops abruptly when Ang simply turns around and keeps still. This is in fact Tat's strategy: to confuse Lau. In the second round, Tat instructs Ang to wear down Lau with submissions and sucker punches; all the while, Tat deliberately distracts Lau by juggling and things in the air. A commercial break ends round two.
Frustrated, Lau tries to end the match once and for all. But Ang surprisingly grapples and locks him throughout the whole third round. In a flashback, Tat tells Ang that to prevent himself from losing the bet and his life, he must execute the "Golden Snake Restraint" defensive technique, hence the grapples and locks, which will prevent Lau from knocking him down. Visibly irate, Lau unsuccessfully tries to throw Ang off. Finally, round three ends, and Lau is announced the winner, though Ang wins the bet since he survives the match. Incensed, Lau starts ravaging the place, beating up even the referee and judges. To stop Lau, Ang decides to use the "Invincible Wind and Fire Spin" on him, using an immense lottery
Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
wheel as help. The two spin wildly inside the wheel, and it explodes. Out of the rubble emerges Ang, exhausted but victorious, and Lau collapses in defeat. Lily, realizing Ang is the "Garfield warrior," rushes over to kiss him, and Tat reintroduces Sanshou to the public.
Trivia
- Jacky CheungJacky CheungJacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
appears as a cameo as himself, in which he give the best seat tickets to Ho. - The introduction scene of Ho is a parody of Terminator, in which he walks naked in a street before being taken away by police (as he gave away his clothes to a beggar as an act of kindness).
- Christy Chung couldn't speak a word of Cantonese during the time of filming, all her Cantonese dialogue was dubbed.
- Lau's glasses and haircut parody Clark Kent (Superman).
Cast and roles
- Stephen ChowStephen ChowStephen Chow Sing-Chi is a Hong Kong actor, comedian, screenwriter, film director and producer.- Professional career :Stephen Chow began as a temporary actor for TVB. He entered TVB in early 1980s, and was trained there, although he had few opportunities to appear in films. Chow graduated from...
- Ho Kam-An - Christy ChungChristy ChungChristy Chung is Chinese-Canadian actress. She was born in Montreal to a Chinese father and a Vietnamese mother.Chung grew up in Brossard, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, with French and Vietnamese as mother-tongues...
- Lily - Ng Man-tat - Tat/Devil Killer
- Philip ChanPhilip ChanPhilip Chan Yan-Kin is a Hong Kong actor, film director, producer, screenwriter and music composer of Taishan area origin.He worked as a Royal Hong Kong Police Force police inspector before entering the entertainment industry...
- Television commercial pitchman - Joe ChengJoe ChengJoseph Cheng, also known as Joe Cheng, was born on 19 June 1982. He is a Taiwanese model, actor and singer. Although he started his career as a model, Cheng is well known for his role as Jiang Zhishu in Taiwanese drama serial version of Japanese manga Itazura Na Kiss, It Started with a Kiss...
- Master Blackbear - Jacky CheungJacky CheungJacky Cheung is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor. The Chinese language media refers to him, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings , with more than 60 million records sold as of 2000....
- Cameo appearance - Radium Cheung
- Billy ChowBilly ChowBilly Chow , is an Chinese Canadian actor, martial artist and the former world kickboxing champion...
- Taekwando master - Paul ChunPaul Chun (actor)Paul Chun Pui is a Hong Kong based actor.He is the brother of actor David Chiang and half-brother of actor/ director Derek Yee Tung-Shing. His son Benji Chiang and his daughter Lesley Chiang are duo in the pop group "Benji and Lesley". Paul started his acting career at the age of three...
- Chan - Vincent KokVincent KokVincent Kok Tak-Chiu is a Hong Kong actor, scriptwriter and film director.Kok is best known for his frequent collaborations with Stephen Chow, acting and co-writing with him the films Forbidden City Cop, From Beijing with Love and The God of Cookery in addition to producing and co-writing Chow's...
- Niu - Leo KuLeo KuLeo Ku Kui Kei is a famous China and Hong Kong artist, Cantonese and Mandarin pop singer, actor, host, cartoonist, MV Director and Producer, and designer; he is one of the highest visibility and Greater China Pop Male Artist, a major figure in popular music culture. Leo had earned the "Ten...
- Peter Lai - Customer with a fly in his soup
- Ben Lam - Tuen Shui-Lau
- Lee Lik-ChiLee Lik-ChiLee Lik-chi is a Hong Kong-based actor, film director and screenplay writer.-Filmography:*The King of Comedy *Gorgeous *The Lucky Guy *Troublesome Night 3 *Killing Me Tenderly...
- Gabriel Wong - Turtle
- Wong Yut Fei - Ho's boss