Cheung nui cheung ngoi (1979)

"Cheung nui cheung ngoi" (The Girl with the Long Hair, 1979) earns its place among the best of Ronny Yu's filmography as a potent early indicator of the director's signature visual flair and thematic interests. While a relatively straightforward revenge thriller at first glance, the film crackles with Yu's burgeoning talent for crafting memorable imagery and building suspense. The use of slow-motion, innovative camera angles, and a vibrant color palette – particularly the striking contrast of red against the dark, ominous settings – elevates the genre tropes. The film also subtly explores themes of societal injustice and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect those they love, foreshadowing the more nuanced narratives that would become hallmarks of Yu's later works. Beyond its technical accomplishments, "Cheung nui cheung ngoi" showcases Yu's ability to elicit compelling performances from his cast, even within the confines of a somewhat pulpy plot. The film's raw energy and willingness to embrace unconventional storytelling techniques demonstrate the director's commitment to pushing boundaries, even in his formative years. Although not as widely recognized as some of his later classics, this early effort serves as a crucial stepping stone in Yu's evolution, revealing the seeds of the visionary filmmaker he would become and solidifying its position as a noteworthy entry in his impressive body of work.