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Tricky Business

Name: Tricky Business
Director: Lee Lik-Chi
Released: 1995
Duration: 93 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

1995

Director

Lee Lik-Chi

Runtime

93 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Tricky Business follows a traditional romantic comedy format that prioritizes humor and drama over social commentary. The narrative heavily relies on well-known archetypes, such as the trickster and the vulnerable love interest, to propel the storyline. While the film examines class tensions through the conflict between Happy and the wealthy Shi, these elements center on personal morality rather than broader critiques of societal structures. The film adheres to conventional representations of its era, focusing on straight-centered relationships and using disability as a tool for emotional manipulation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Tricky Business have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film centers on traditional heterosexual relationships without exploring non-straight relationships or questioning the assumption that everyone is straight. It does not address the complexity of LGBTQ+ identities.

How does Tricky Business portray gender?

Fair

The story emphasizes the male protagonist's control over the narrative through his principles, while the female lead remains emotionally vulnerable and does not challenge traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Tricky Business?

Fair

The cast and setting reflect the ethnic homogeneity of the Hong Kong film industry during that time. The film does not engage with diverse racial backgrounds or identities.

How does Tricky Business represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film highlights class conflicts through the contrast between the wealthy and the trickster, but these themes focus on personal morality rather than critiquing broader social or institutional structures.

Does Tricky Business include disability representation?

Limited

Moon's blindness and cancer serve as catalysts for the protagonist's emotional journey, but they are used primarily to evoke sympathy rather than to give disability a meaningful role in the narrative.

Present on Screen

Explores socioeconomic tensions through the lens of class conflict between characters.
Features energetic, genre-blending comedic elements typical of Hong Kong cinema.

Limited or Absent

Disability is used primarily as a plot device to evoke pity rather than providing meaningful ability to act.
The narrative relies on traditional gender hierarchies and straight-centered romantic clichés.
Does not engage with diverse racial identities or perspectives that reflect multiple aspects of identity.

Official Synopsis

Happy specializes in playing tricks. But he refuses to work for Shi, a rich man, as the job is against his principle, Shi is very angry and asks for the help of Ling, the enemy of Happy. By coincidence, Happy meets Moon, a blind girl suffering from cancer. Happy feels pity and also falls for her. However, he isn’t aware that it is just a trick…

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