Is The Chair Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1959)
After inheriting his father's estate, Cheung Ka-bo leads a life of debauchery after getting know Blackie Yuen, who profits at others' expense, and Yee-Wah, who working at a night club. As the family wealth diminishes, he always squabbles with his wife and finally separates from her. She returns a diamond bracelet, kept by Uncle Chan, to her mother-in-law. Bo's mother hides the bracelet in a chair. Later, Wah resides at Bo's home. To flatter Wah, Bo wants to get the bracelet by any means from his mother and give it to Wah. Later, Bo's mother falls ill. In the hospital, she tells Bo of the bracelet's whereabouts but the chair has already been sold to Uncle Chan by Wah. Bo, Wah and Yuen stealthily enter Chan's home to get the chair, but have a big fight when they try to take the bracelet. Knowing that Bo has huge debts, Wah intends to leave him after getting the bracelet. Wah exposes her gluttonous self in her pursuit of the treasure. Bo learns his lesson and returns to his wife.
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Comedy cinema, then The Chair offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 1959 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
The Chair, a standout production of 1959, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Comedy landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into After inheriting his father's estate, Cheung Ka-bo leads a life of debauchery after getting know Blackie Yuen, who profits at others' expense, and Yee-Wah, who working at a night club. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Comedy are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "After inheriting his father's estate, Cheung Ka-bo leads a life of debauchery after getting know Blackie Yuen, who profits at others' expense, and Yee-Wah, who working at a night club. As the family wealth diminishes, he always squabbles with his wife and finally separates from her. She returns a diamond bracelet, kept by Uncle Chan, to her mother-in-law. Bo's mother hides the bracelet in a chair. Later, Wah resides at Bo's home. To flatter Wah, Bo wants to get the bracelet by any means from his mother and give it to Wah. Later, Bo's mother falls ill. In the hospital, she tells Bo of the bracelet's whereabouts but the chair has already been sold to Uncle Chan by Wah. Bo, Wah and Yuen stealthily enter Chan's home to get the chair, but have a big fight when they try to take the bracelet. Knowing that Bo has huge debts, Wah intends to leave him after getting the bracelet. Wah exposes her gluttonous self in her pursuit of the treasure. Bo learns his lesson and returns to his wife."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Cheung Ying does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.
The direction by Tso Kea is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 106 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is The Chair truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Comedy, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, The Chair explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1959 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Tso Kea respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, The Chair is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Cheung Ying or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, The Chair is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.8 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.