Title: As Tears Go By (1988): A Poetic Gangster Saga That Redefined Hong Kong Cinema
For global cinephiles seeking a bridge between visceral action and poetic storytelling, As Tears Go By (Wong Gok Ka Moon) stands as a landmark film that transcends its gangster-genre trappings. Directed by a young Wong Kar-wai in his debut, this 1988 classic starring Andy Lau (Liu Dehua), Maggie Cheung (Zhang Manyu), and Jacky Cheung (Zhang Xueyou) offers a haunting meditation on loyalty, love, and the inescapable pull of fate. Here’s why it deserves a prime spot on your watchlist:
- Wong Kar-wai’s Electrifying Debut: Where Style Meets Substance
Long before In the Mood for Love cemented his auteur status, Wong Kar-wai announced his arrival with this gritty yet lyrical portrait of Hong Kong’s underworld. Unlike conventional triad films of the 1980s, As Tears Go By blends raw violence with moments of startling tenderness. Wong’s signature visual poetry—smoke-filled alleyways, neon-drenched nights, and lingering close-ups of hands brushing against each other—hints at the stylistic revolution he would later unleash. The film’s English title, borrowed from the Rolling Stones song, foreshadows its melancholic tone: this is a story about characters trapped between duty and desire, where every choice carries the weight of tragedy.
- Andy Lau’s Career-Defining Performance: The Anti-Hero We Never Forgot
As Ah Wah, a mid-level gangster torn between protecting his reckless protégé Fly (Jacky Cheung) and his growing love for cousin Ah Ngor (Maggie Cheung), Lau delivers a masterclass in restrained intensity. His portrayal defies the macho stereotypes of 1980s action heroes: Ah Wah is weary, vulnerable, and achingly human. In one iconic scene, he silently tends to Fly’s wounds under cold blue lighting, his face a mosaic of frustration and unspoken affection. Lau’s chemistry with Cheung—particularly their rain-soaked goodbye at a bus stop—remains one of Hong Kong cinema’s most heart-wrenching romantic moments.
- Jacky Cheung’s Fly: From Meme to Masterpiece
While Fly’s exasperated “I’d rather be a hero for a day than a coward for a lifetime!” became an internet meme, Cheung’s performance deserves deeper appreciation. Fly isn’t just comic relief; he’s a tragic figure clinging to delusions of grandeur in a world that’s already written him off. His final act of defiance—a botched assassination attempt—mirrors the desperation of countless marginalized youths in 1980s Hong Kong. Wong Kar-wai’s decision to frame Fly’s death in slow motion, juxtaposed with Ah Wah’s futile dash to save him, elevates the scene into a Shakespearean crescendo of futility.
- Maggie Cheung’s Ah Ngor: The Quiet Force of Rebellion
In her breakout role, Maggie Cheung embodies Ah Ngor with a quiet radiance that contrasts sharply with the film’s hypermasculine world. Her character’s rebellion isn’t loud but deeply subversive: she chooses love over societal expectations, even knowing it might destroy her. The famous “hidden glass” scene—where she leaves a secret message for Ah Wah by stashing a cup—epitomizes Wong’s genius for turning mundane objects into symbols of longing. Ah Ngor’s journey from sheltered innocence to bittersweet acceptance mirrors Hong Kong’s own identity crisis on the brink of the 1997 handover.
- A Cinematic Time Capsule of 1980s Hong Kong
Beyond its personal dramas, As Tears Go By captures the anarchic energy of pre-handover Hong Kong. The crowded tenements of Mong Kok, the cacophony of night markets, and the omnipresent threat of triad warfare paint a portrait of a society teetering between chaos and modernity. Wong’s use of vibrant red and blue lighting—red for danger and passion, blue for melancholy and entrapment—transforms the city into a character itself, one that’s as seductive as it is suffocating.
Why It Resonates Today: More Than Just a Gangster Flick
At its core, As Tears Go By is about the impossibility of escape—whether from one’s past, social class, or emotional chains. Ah Wah’s final act of loyalty to Fly isn’t just brotherhood; it’s a resignation to the cyclical violence of his world. In an era where global audiences crave narratives about systemic oppression and flawed heroes, this film feels startlingly contemporary.
For Western viewers, it also serves as a gateway to Hong Kong’s cinematic golden age, bridging the gap between John Woo’s bullet ballets and Wong Kar-wai’s later arthouse triumphs. The film’s influence echoes in works like Drive (2011) and A Better Tomorrow (1986), but its raw emotional honesty remains unmatched.
Final Verdict:
-As Tears Go By* is more than a movie—it’s a mood, a lament, and a love letter to those who dare to dream beyond their circumstances. Whether you’re drawn to its visual audacity, its soulful performances, or its haunting commentary on destiny, this is a film that lingers long after the credits roll.
Where to Watch: Available on major streaming platforms with restored subtitles.
Pair With: The soundtrack’s synth-heavy tracks and Cantopop classics for a full 1980s immersion.