Run Papa Run

Run Papa Run Synopsis: (from Yesasia)
Raised by a single mother in a crime-ridden neighborhood, LEE has risen from street punk to successful syndicate crime boss. Fast money and women have always come easily to Lee. But Lee unexpectedly falls in love with a lawyer named Mabel. When Mabel becomes pregnant, Lee panics. Unable to commit, Lee refuses to marry her. Determined to make the relationship work, Mabel moves into his apartment uninvited. Mabel's stubbornness pays off when their baby HEIYI is born - Lee's paternal instincts are awakened and he is transformed into a doting father. Desperate to protect his new family, Lee conceals the true nature of his business. His gang members undergo an image makeover and to all outward appearances Lee is now a legitimate businessman. His secret is exposed when Heiyi reaches adolescence. Heiyi urges her father to go straight. But Lee has just been handpicked to be the next kingpin of the underworld and Lee must make a choice between the brotherhood and his family.

My comments:
I think that Run Papa Run is a pretty good and enjoyable movie. The first half is more comedy while the later part is more drama. I like the use of Louis Koo’s voiceovers as a way to narrate the movie but I find the singing segments of Rene Liu a bit random. Louis Koo gave a fine and affective performance. His character is not really the cool type and he’s flawed but it’s very touching to see how hard he’s trying to cover his gangster identity in front of his daughter Hei Yi. The poor guy must be under a lot of pressure and stress all these years. Hei Yi is like the most precious thing to him and you see how this character develops and changes because of the daughter. Rene Liu is good as usual.

They made a good choice for casting the actress who plays the adult Hei Yi because she really looks like Rene Liu. I like Hei Yi and her boyfriend’s part and when Louis’ character learns who his future in-laws are…hehe! What a fate! The ending is unexpected because of what we see in the beginning so there is a little surprise. Don’t know if I should be happy or sad…