Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive (1989)

A man is hired by a group of people he believes to be gangsters to escort a briefcase from America to Hong Kong. When he arrives, however, his contact is nowhere to be found. With no ... See full summary »

Directors:

Wayne Wang, Spencer Nakasako (co-director)

Writers:

Spencer Nakasako, Amir Mokri (story) (as Amir M. Mokri)

Stars:

Wan Kin Cheng, John Chan, Kwan-Min Cheng

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Wan Kin Cheng	...	Duck Killer (as Chan Kim Wan)
John Chan	...	The Son-in-Law (Anthropologist) (as John Koon-chung Chan)
Kwan-Min Cheng	...	Uncle Cheng (as Cheng Kwan Min)
Allen Fong	...	Taxi Driver
Rocky Wing Cheung Ho	...	Punk #2 (as Rocky Ho)
Cinda Hui	...	Kitty
Gary Kong	...	Punk #1
Chung Lam	...	Ex-Red Guard (as Lam Chung)
Lieh Lo	...	Pianist
Wei Lo	...	Big Boss (as Lo Wai)
Cora Miao	...	Money
Spencer Nakasako	...	Yat Boon Jai (Man-with-no-name)
Bonnie Ngai	...	The Daughter
Victor Wong	...	Blind Man
Wu Kin Man	...	Spiritualist

Storyline

A man is hired by a group of people he believes to be gangsters to escort a briefcase from America to Hong Kong. When he arrives, however, his contact is nowhere to be found. With no further instructions, he decides to take in the sights of Hong Kong, which consist of him taking part in a great deal of blood, sex and general weirdness, all while wearing a briefcase handcuffed to his arm.

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Plot Keywords:

chinese | chinese american | japanese american | chinese japanese | man with no name | 

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Taglines:

A scathing new black comedy from the director of "Dim Sum" and "Chan Is Missing"

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although critics Siskel and Ebert openly praised the film's "Rated A" marketing strategy which shed light on the ineffective nature of the MPAA's X-rating, the critics also felt the film itself was not deserving of "thumbs up."

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Flatliners/Young Guns II/The Two Jakes/Metropolitan/Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive (1990)

User Reviews

Pure Weirdness

This was one bizarre flick. And yes, that foot chase was so long I was winded watching it. But anyone into "arty" films should definitely check it out. Some of the scenes remind one of the Mondo films from the '60's. This came out in America in that wave of NC-17 films. Wayne Wang is a director who clearly should be better known. The narrative of this film can be a little confusing. Also there are some graphic scenes involving bodily functions. Anyone who has been to Hong Kong might be able to relate slightly. I also enjoyed seeing the late Victor Wong in his brief scenes as a semi-tour guide. Try to catch it in a theater if possible. I own the video but I was able to see it at an art theater in Tokyo as well.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

24 August 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

命は安く、トイレットペーパーは高い

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong

Box Office

Gross USA:

$108,392

Company Credits

Production Co:

Far East Stars, Forever Profit Investment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1