Writer: Ng Suzhen

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Watch this if you liked: “My Wife Is 18”

Nothing much seems to have changed 10 years after Cheung Sub Sam (Ekin Cheng) and Yo Yo Ma (Charlene Choi) got married.

The mismatched pair is still acting according to their ages when they first met, which is fine for Sam, being a mature and reserved psychology professor. Yo Yo however, despite being 28, still acts like the immature and annoying teenager she once was for a major part of the movie.

Both are constantly at odds due to the 12-year age gap, which places them at different stages in life. While Sam is fully committed to his career, Yo Yo is desperate to have some fun and explore the world.

The relationship dynamic between the two leaves one perplexed at how they manage to stick together for so many years, which is the point of the movie, that there is something more to them than constant differing opinions that is keeping them together.

Things do not seem too shaken up even when potential love interests turn up in the form of star student Tong Yi (Zhang Xinyi) and childhood friend Lam Shu Ho (Izz Tsui), until they discover that the priest who ordained their marriage was not recognised, effectively establishing that Sam and Yo Yo were never really married in the first place.

Deciding to go their separate ways after an argument, Yo Yo remains hopeful that both will get back together while Sam, being the practical one, starts to enjoy the more mature company of Tong Yi.
Cheng carries his role with ease, constantly berating Yo Yo for her childish acts while Choi is well, annoyingly good at being juvenile. But when she finally quietens, her emotional performance at conveying her yearning to have her husband back by her side would win you over temporarily as you emphatise with her anguish.

The wonderful surprise in the movie, however, is the performance of the ever reliable Wong Cho Lam and Fatumai, who plays a couple living next door to Sam and Yo Yo. Wong, playing a sharp-tongued husband to Fatumai's absent-minded happy-go-lucky wife, is the reason one has fun with the movie. Scenes showcasing even just his none-too-happy expression are reasons enough to burst into laughter.

Joyce Cheng, who appears as Yo Yo's cousin, takes on a rather exaggerated performance most of the time. She tries her best to fit in to the cast, but unfortunately, sticks out like a sore thumb. Any annoyance at Yo Yo's immaturity disappears the moment both appear on-screen together, as the sentiment is transferred to Cheng instead.

"My Sassy Hubby" may not be the blockbuster of the year, but it does exceed expectations for a Hong Kong movie that looks potentially silly. In fact, one may just be convinced to check out "My Wife Is 18" to find out how they got together in the first place if you have not seen it yet.

Cinema Online, 04 December 2012