Chen Mo himself couldn't put it down the story "A Better Tomorrow".
Mainly because it is really difficult for such a story to appear in this era!
Whether it is Song Zihao, Xiao Ma Ge, or Song Zijie, these three characters are all exquisite.
This can be said to be a man's drama through and through. It highlights the true emotions between people through violent scenes. It is a simple friendship between men. It is so appropriate to use gun battles and death to express such themes. And shocking.
This kind of movie deserves to be considered a classic.
Of course, it’s quite difficult to make this kind of movie now.
First of all, in terms of actors, the role of Song Zijie is probably the best actor to find, because this role is actually timeless no matter in any era.
Therefore, it is not difficult to find an actor for this role.
Let’s talk about Xiao Ma, this character is of course very classic and very three-dimensional.
This can be said to be a freestyle ordinary hero.
It can be regarded as an ordinary Hong Kong citizen, a small person. In fact, in the movie, to many big shots, Pony Ma is a small person, a very inconspicuous little character.
He actually represents most ordinary people. These people may not have much ability, no unique background, and no important status, but they all have something to be proud of, such as being handsome, funny, narcissistic, and connected with the world. There is no struggle, they live very freely, and occasionally they think about those unattainable dreams and do things that make people unexpected. They stick to themselves and enjoy the happiness and sadness that life deserves in their own lives. Maybe these people are ordinary, but the extraordinary in the ordinary is also creating another kind of "hero", which can be said to be a freedom hero like Xiao Ma.
Li Yi admitted that Xiao Ma in the original version is indeed wonderful, but in his opinion, he is really not irreplaceable.
Such a role certainly has high requirements for actors, but it is not so special that it is difficult to find suitable actors at the moment.
In fact, in Li Yi's opinion, among the three main roles, the most difficult to find suitable actors is Song Zihao!
Why do you say that?
Because Brother Hao in the original version was really good.
Although in this movie, Xiao Ma is probably the most popular, the most well-known, and the one who has been imitated and talked about the most, but in Li Yi's opinion, purely from the perspective of acting skills, in this movie, Song Zihao, Hao Brother is absolutely stunning!
In fact, every appearance he makes can stand up to careful scrutiny. Except for the famous scene of "I haven't been a big brother for a long time", other details that can be mentioned are scattered all over the place.
Li Yi watched it many times and felt even more how important an actor is to a role.
There are several scenes that remain fresh in Li Yi's memory. In one scene, Brother Hao goes to the hospital to visit his father. His father hopes that he will stop and stop being involved in the counterfeit money business. The expression in Brother Hao's eyes is that of a child who has done something wrong. He sincerely promised in front of his father that he would no longer engage in illegal business. His love for his younger brother Ajie made him firmly determined to quit the underworld. He acted as if he was not acting. , naturally coherent.
After being released from prison after three years in prison, Brother Hao immediately went to visit Xiao Ma after settling down. He was shocked by the pony's miserable condition. On the other side of the road, when Ahao saw the once high-spirited pony rushing to clean the car, his eyes were full of shock, grief, anger and pain. The twitching nose, heavy breathing, and the rising and falling chest that are not easy to detect. It completely brings the viewer in, follows him and understands him, effortlessly.
Perhaps many people may wonder why this movie is popular with Brother Ma instead of Brother Hao?
In fact, this kind of popularity depends on the age group of the audience.
For many young people, there is no doubt that the uninhibited, free-spirited and handsome guy like Ma is a sought-after hero.
But for people with a little experience, watching this movie, Brother Hao's charm will feel much greater than that of Brother Xiao Ma.
Afterwards, Li Yi and Chen Weijie made an appointment to have tea together to discuss "A Better Tomorrow"!
When Li Yi told the complete plot of "A Better Tomorrow", You Ningsheng and the other three were a little stunned.
"What's wrong? Is there any problem?" Li Yi was a little confused.
You Ningsheng said: "How do I feel that your movie is alluding to the entire Hong Kong movie industry?"
"Why do you say that?" Li Yi really hasn't thought about it this way, or no one has thought about this movie from this perspective.
Of course, it is also related to the fact that the film was shot and released during the most glorious period of Hong Kong films.
"Look, Brother Hao was once considered a powerful and big brother figure in the world. Isn't this similar to the status of Hong Kong films in the Chinese film industry?" You Ningsheng said with a smile.
Li Yi thought about it, don't say it yet, what You Ningsheng said was really a bit of a joke.
"No, you can't say that, can you? Although Brother Hao is a well-known big brother figure in the world, he does illegal and criminal things, but Hong Kong movies can't allude to it like this, right?" Li Yi shook his head.
"Haha, I think it is indeed very similar. The chaos in the Hong Kong film market back then was actually no different from Jianghu." You Ningsheng said with a chuckle.
"Okay, even if this is true, is there anything else?" Li Yi asked again.
"I say this not only because of this, but also because Brother Hao is a gangster who fishes for side jobs. As for Hong Kong movies back then, in fact, the values of many movies are the same in this era. They are all against the mainstream values of this era.
For example, young and Dangerous, gangsters, Jianghu, etc. These are all cultures that are not respected by the mainstream.
It can even be said bluntly that most of the characters in old Hong Kong films cannot be regarded as absolutely positive characters!
Brother Jianghu? Young and Dangerous? Black police? Etc., etc. Moreover, in Hong Kong films of that era, many societies put guns to actors’ heads for filming.”
When You Ningsheng said this, Li Yi also scratched his head.
But Luo Xian and Chen Weijie both nodded.
"Then Brother Hao was imprisoned. In fact, it was like the Hong Kong movies of the year. Everything was over-the-top and crazy. After that, he fell into trouble and a trough! Just like Brother Hao, when he was released from prison, this world It has changed, and his status has plummeted!"
"Not only Brother Hao, but also Pony. The same is true for him. Brother Pony, who once had great fame, has become a lame parking boy. His situation is not like that of Hong Kong. The film went from glory to decline?”
"Ah this." Li Yisparta said.
He dared to say that the original movie had absolutely no such idea.
It can only be said that human imagination is truly invincible.
But this statement is quite interesting.
"Also, don't the subsequent plots actually prove this in the same way? You must know that after the decline of Hong Kong films, there was a period of retrospect, that is, in the late 1990s, Hong Kong films had a revival for a period of time, wouldn't it Just like after Brother Hao was released from prison, Brother Xiao Ma rose again and was as sad as fireworks, but in the end he quickly fell?"
"Isn't that right? Although Hong Kong cinema is in decline, isn't it too much to say that Hong Kong cinema is dead?" Li Yi said in a dumbfounded voice.
"So, there is Song Zijie! To a certain extent, he represents the hope of Hong Kong films!"
What else can Li Yi say?
"Well, it seems that you really don't think so!" You Ningsheng saw Li Yi's expression and knew that he was overthinking it, but he did think so.
"By the way, please give me some advice. Which of the three male protagonists do you think is suitable?" Li Yi asked.
Hearing Li Yi's words, You Ningsheng smiled and said, "After listening to the three characters you mentioned, I have been thinking about them for a while."
"First of all, there are actually not a few people who can play the role of Song Zijie. However, I suggest using young actors from Hong Kong Island." You Ningsheng said.
Li Yi nodded. In fact, it was not that this role was only suitable for Hong Kong actors. Many young actors from the Mainland were actually equally suitable for this role, but Li Yi still nodded.
Why?
Because You Ningsheng thought that way just now, and Chen Weijie and others all nodded, it is enough to show that if he makes this movie, many people will definitely think that way.
In particular, You Ningsheng said that Song Zijie can be regarded as a hope for Hong Kong movies.
Although in Li Yi's view, Hong Kong Island has been returned for so many years, there is no need to distinguish it so clearly, but he also knows that Hong Kong people, especially Hong Kong Island filmmakers, or Hong Kong Island audiences, and even many old Hong Kong people in the Mainland Movie fans actually have a certain sentiment or expectation.
If Song Zijie hired mainland actors to play the role, there would be no big problem, but it would still hurt some people's hearts.
And in fact, mainland actors may not be able to perform well, because the role of Song Zijie is set as a Hong Kong policeman.
It’s still the Hong Kong police from the old days!
Mainland actors always make people feel like they are in a drama.
If "A Better Tomorrow" is made, it will definitely be labeled as a recreation of old Hong Kong movies, because the background of this movie must be Hong Kong Island in the 1980s and 1990s.
"Then let's choose Rong Zai to play." Li Yi thought for a while and said directly.
In fact, the character Song Zijie in "A Better Tomorrow" cannot be said to be very outstanding. The reason why it was mentioned by many people in the original version is, in Li Yi's opinion, more about his brother's personal charm rather than the character's charm.
To be honest, the character Song Zijie is actually not that likable.
According to people of this era, Song Zijie is actually a bit selfish to a certain extent.
He wants to be a policeman, a just policeman, but because he has a criminal brother, it is certain that his future in the police force will not be bright.
The charm of Brother Hao lies in his friendship with his family and brothers.
From the perspective of people of this era, it is unknown in reality, but for the characters in the movie, such as Brother Hao, he did do something wrong, but he has paid the price for it and spent three years in jail.
From a legal perspective, he has been duly punished for his crimes.
And now he wants to be a good person and an ordinary person.
In fact, if he is really willing to make a comeback, his final outcome may not be good, but at least he doesn't need to be so humble.
He always thinks about his younger brother, and he said that sentence in such a humble way: "I haven't been a big brother for a long time!"
As his younger brother, Song Zijie targets him everywhere, which naturally makes people feel a little disgusted with this character.
So this character is really not that outstanding, not even that great!
This role is different from Chen Yongren's role.
Two people with the same persistence and their own beliefs, but the audience's attitude towards them will definitely be different.
First of all, the role of Chen Yongren, he sacrifices his own happiness for the belief he insists on. He suffers every day, walking in the darkness, and his heart is towards the light.
Chen Yongren never thought of hurting the people around him, so he was always in pain, because how could he not hurt the people around him?
Therefore, he is a tragic hero, but he is also a hero who truly makes people sympathize, pity and admire him.
But what about Song Zijie?
The biggest difference between him and Chen Yongren is that he bases his justice on the premise of hurting his biological brother.
Another one is the comparison of living conditions. Song Zijie has a very good girlfriend. Even if his life is not rich, it is at least pretty good. But what about Song Zihao?
After he was released from prison, he would not only face difficulties from the police and his brother, but also people from the Jianghu.
In contrast, people will naturally dislike Song Zijie more because of Song Zihao.
"Where's Brother Ma?" Li Yi asked again.
"Brother Xiao Ma, this role is not so easy to choose!" You Ningsheng smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Isn't that true?" Li Yi was a little surprised.
"As for, why not? In the scene at Fenglin Pavilion, it was lightly raining, and the background music was a cheerful Feng Yuechang song. Xiao Ma happily walked into the private room with a prostitute in his arms. His teasing, his The scene is just for putting a pistol into a flower pot. The romantic scene is in sharp contrast with the murderous atmosphere. However, if you want to perform such a scene to shock people, some old actors can do it, but at the moment... I really I can't think of anyone who can perform that feeling!" You Ningsheng said.
"Where's Brother Jie?" Li Yi looked at Chen Weijie.
However, Chen Weijie smiled bitterly and shook his head: "If I were to choose a role to play, of course I like the role of Xiao Ma the most, but to be honest, I feel that I can't play his unrestrained and unrestrained character. Moreover, he is also tall. question."
Li Yi looked at Chen Weijie, it was really true.
Xiao Ma in the original version is 1.85 meters tall.
This role really needs an actor who is not short in height. Wearing a windbreaker is not something that someone with short legs can handle.
"What about the role of Brother Hao?" Li Yi asked again.
What surprised him was that You Ningsheng's answer was: "There are really many actors suitable for this role."
"Actually, for many veteran Hong Kong actors, this actor can play his true self." You Ningsheng said with a smile.
"Yes, I haven't been a big brother for a long time. Isn't that what many old actors are like?" Luo Xian also said with a smile.
(End of chapter)
