Director : Masaki Taniguchia
Writer: Manfred Wong (screenplay)
Cast: Lawrence Cheng, Siu-Fai Cheung, Tat-Ming Cheung, Kar Lok Chin, Christy Chung, Heung Kam Lee, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Alex Man, Kristy Yang, Jin Auyeung and others
Release date: 25 November 2010
Genres: Drama, Biography
Directed by Raymond Yip (“The Warlords”) and Manfred Wong (prolific writer/producer of hundreds of popular titles), “Bruce Lee, My Brother” is a biographical film about Bruce Lee's teenage life. It begins in 1940, his date of birth, and ends in 1959, when he’s off to America with a $100 bucks in his pocket.
The film opens with a warm introduction from Bruce Lee’s real siblings: Robert Lee, his younger brother; and Phoebe Lee, his older sister. Robert Lee not only serves as producer, but also provides much of what the movie is based on, hence, the film’s title.
I’ve come to terms with the fact that all biographic films (and to a lesser extent, books) are mostly bullshit, and “Bruce Lee, My Brother” is no exception. Sure, Robert Lee and Phoebe Lee were brought in for a “a historically accurate account of their brother's life,” but let’s get real here. In outline form, sure, it’s probably a little accurate, but movies are made to sell tickets and everything is exaggerated to add more pizzaz. Again, fine with me, as long as we don't get out of hand and start throwing in Jackie Chan-style choreography and giant samurai robots in dream sequences.
I have read that “Bruce Lee, My Brother” is supposedly the first in a series of movies to be based on Bruce Lee’s life. If this does happen, my guess is that the 2nd one would revolve around his Seattle Years (1959) and end with his with early, ill-fated Hollywood career (“The Green Hornet, etc.” 1966-1969). The 3rd would most likely take place in the early 1970’s, with Bruce returning to Hong Kong to negotiate deals with Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, his rise to stardom, and end with his untimely death.
The film opens with a warm introduction from Bruce Lee’s real siblings: Robert Lee, his younger brother; and Phoebe Lee, his older sister. Robert Lee not only serves as producer, but also provides much of what the movie is based on, hence, the film’s title.
I’ve come to terms with the fact that all biographic films (and to a lesser extent, books) are mostly bullshit, and “Bruce Lee, My Brother” is no exception. Sure, Robert Lee and Phoebe Lee were brought in for a “a historically accurate account of their brother's life,” but let’s get real here. In outline form, sure, it’s probably a little accurate, but movies are made to sell tickets and everything is exaggerated to add more pizzaz. Again, fine with me, as long as we don't get out of hand and start throwing in Jackie Chan-style choreography and giant samurai robots in dream sequences.
I have read that “Bruce Lee, My Brother” is supposedly the first in a series of movies to be based on Bruce Lee’s life. If this does happen, my guess is that the 2nd one would revolve around his Seattle Years (1959) and end with his with early, ill-fated Hollywood career (“The Green Hornet, etc.” 1966-1969). The 3rd would most likely take place in the early 1970’s, with Bruce returning to Hong Kong to negotiate deals with Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, his rise to stardom, and end with his untimely death.