Du shen (God of Gamblers) (1989)

85% of users liked it
(5,917 ratings)

This 1989 thriller, directed by Jing Wong, resurrected the subgenre of the Hong Kong gambling film. Do San (Chow Yun-Fat) is a slick professional gambler on a seemingly endless winning streak. On his way to defeat a rival in a card game, Do's streak comes to a close when a head injury leaves him… More This 1989 thriller, directed by Jing Wong, resurrected the subgenre of the Hong Kong gambling film. Do San (Chow Yun-Fat) is a slick professional gambler on a seemingly endless winning streak. On his way to defeat a rival in a card game, Do's streak comes to a close when a head injury leaves him brain-damaged. Reduced to the mental capacity of a child, his friend "Knife" (Andy Lau) and Knife's girlfriend Jane (Joey Wong) are left to care for him. They soon realize that his gambling abilities have been left intact, and in a series of events reminiscent of Rain Man, Do makes a comeback. Yun-Fat, who gained international reknown as an action hero in such thrillers as The Killer and Hard-Boiled, shows a surprising amount of range in this departure from his usual role. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 5 min.
Directed By: Jing Wong
Genres: Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1989 Wide

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

A gambler with almost supernatural ability suffers head trauma and amnesia so two petty hustlers take him in and try to find a way to profit from his gift. Another film made by Chow Yun Fat at his most handsome and debonair, easily the best parts of the film are when he is in command… More
A gambler with almost supernatural ability suffers head trauma and amnesia so two petty hustlers take him in and try to find a way to profit from his gift. Another film made by Chow Yun Fat at his most handsome and debonair, easily the best parts of the film are when he is in command of his powers and he has a real presence and charisma about him. Unfortunately, Wong Jing's usual penchant for pandering to the cheap seats has him acting like a retarded child for most of the film, in a kind of Jackie Chan style homage to Rain Man. There are some laughs to be had, but this section is far too long and I found myself longing for Chow to regain his memory again and kick some gangster ass; when he does, it works pretty well but it is sooooo long in coming. God Of Gamblers has a few very nice sequences, but the direction is inconsistent, lumbering between cheap laughs and sentimentality for too much of its run time. It has dated better than some of its contemporaries and its worth seeing for the good bits, but there's too much sap and not enough action.
Dean M

Chow Yun-Fat created ultra cool character in this shape of the God of Gamblers.

Cast

Yun-Fat Chow
as Do San
Andy Lau
as Knife
Cheung Man

Joey Wang

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Du shen (God of Gamblers) (1989)

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

Dean M

Cast

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