Retail and therapy are the order of the day in Wai Ka-fai’s latest festive-season offering, The Shopaholics. In a movie that shows it’s normal to be abnormal in today’s high-stress society, Wai pictures Hongkongers stuck with all sorts of maladies and phobias that relate to shopping.
Abandoned as a baby in a luxury-goods store, Fong Fong-fong (Cecilia Cheung) has grown up to become a prolific shopper, unable to hold down a job and cramming her flat with trophy hauls. Fired from her latest position, she opts to see psychiatrist Choosey Lee (Lau Ching-wan) but finds out he has a problem of his own: “decidophobia” makes him unable to pick what he wants and he’s hopeless at a checkout. Fong scores a job as Lee’s assistant but just as sparks start to fly with her new boss, she chances across Richie Ho (Jordan Chan), the spendthrift son of a stingy property developer. With both Lee and Ho soon wanting to date Fong, and the woman soon realising that the pair are among Hong Kong’s wealthiest bachelors, opposites attract and a farcical love tangle is set in motion.
Released over the Chinese New Year, when filmmakers traditionally produce upbeat and family-friendly fare, The Shopaholics is geared towards frivolous fun. Vibrantly coloured and starting off at a fast clip, Wai’s oddball comedy builds off its team of problem characters who are mutually supportive yet competing against each other as they head toward a grand wedding finale. Leads Cheung, Lau and Chan are joined by Ella Koon to make a lively comic ensemble, given charismatic backup from Wong Tin-lam, Ha Chun-wai and Law Kar-ying, along with veteran singer Paula Tsui making a rare screen appearance as an big-spending matchmaker.