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King of Comedy
Movie

King of Comedy

1999 • Unknown

Woke Score
1
out of 10

Plot

Wan Tin-Sau is an actor who cannot seem to catch a break, since his only professional jobs are limited to being a movie extra. As well as being an actor, he is also the head of his village's community center.

Overall Series Review

The film centers on Wan Tin-sau, a struggling movie extra and head of a small village community center, and his relentless pursuit of his acting dreams despite constant setbacks. His professional life intersects with his personal life when he begins a complex, poignant romance with Lau Piu-piu, a skeptical, street-smart club hostess who comes to him for acting lessons. The narrative is an underdog story that focuses on the human qualities of perseverance, dignity, and passion in the face of a harsh and unforgiving world, particularly the hierarchical and often callous entertainment industry. Character merit, integrity, and the purity of intent drive the plot, with the protagonist valuing his craft and his moral commitment to the people he cares about over material success. The film's comedy is a mix of absurdism and deeply felt drama, culminating in a story about an unlikely connection between two people on the fringes of society.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

The film is set in a non-Western cultural context and the conflict is entirely focused on class and professional struggle, contrasting the powerless movie extra with the successful film stars and directors. The protagonist is judged by his talent, persistence, and sincerity, which are traits of universal merit. The casting is culturally authentic to its Hong Kong setting, with no themes of vilifying 'whiteness' or forcing intersectional hierarchies into the plot.

Oikophobia1/10

The setting is a local Hong Kong village community center, which the protagonist diligently oversees and uses as a base for his passion. The film portrays the struggles of the local film industry but does not frame the culture or heritage as fundamentally corrupt or racist. The film honors the protagonist's perseverance, which represents a 'never-say-die' spirit within the home culture rather than a self-hating critique.

Feminism2/10

The male lead is often humiliated and treated with contempt for his lack of professional success, which is a form of emasculation tied to his economic standing. The primary female character, Lau Piu-piu, is an independent and pragmatic club hostess who is not defined by domesticity. However, she is a complex, flawed character, not a 'Girl Boss' or 'Mary Sue' who is instantly perfect. The central emotional story is an enduring, complementary romantic pairing, and the film does not feature an anti-natal or anti-family message.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative centers on a traditional male-female romantic relationship and its development. There is no presence of alternative sexual ideologies, centering of non-heterosexual identities, or deconstruction of the nuclear family structure. The focus remains on the personal bond between the struggling man and woman.

Anti-Theism1/10

The film’s central conflict is the pursuit of art and an unlikely romance, with no commentary on religion as the root of evil or the necessity of moral relativism. A notable scene parodies a John Woo action film taking place in a church, but this is done for comedic and meta-cinematic effect, not to demonize faith. The protagonist's morality is based on his sincerity, dignity, and commitment to his partner, which aligns with transcendent moral virtues like integrity and persistence.