Horseplay (2014 film) explained

Horseplay
Native Name:	Child: yes Hide: no Header: none T: 盜馬記 S: 盗马记 P: Dào Mǎ Jì J: Dou6 Maa3 Gei3
Director:	Lee Chi-ngai
Producer:	Claudia Chung Lee Chi-ngai Cheung Chi-kwong
Screenplay:	Lee Chi-ngai
Starring:	Tony Leung Ekin Cheng Kelly Chen Eric Tsang Wong Cho-lam
Music:	Youki Yamomoto
Cinematography:	Wade Muller
Editing:	Shirley Yip
Studio:	Edko Films Sil-Metropole Organisation Bona Film Group United Filmmakers Organisation
Distributor:	Edko Films
Country:	Hong Kong
Language:	Cantonese
Gross:	US$565,869^[1]

Horseplay is a 2014 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Lee Chi-ngai and starring Tony Leung, Ekin Cheng and Kelly Chen. The film's Cantonese and Mandarin theme song, Why Not Tonight (不如今晚) and The Best Night (最好的夜晚) respectively, was adapted from Henry Mancini's It Had Better Be Tonight with Leung, Cheng and Chen performing. Leung and Chen performed the Mandarin version at the 2014 CCTV Lunar New Year Evening on 30 January 2014.^[2]

Plot

While interviewing for a relics smuggling case in London, television hostess Ha Mui (Kelly Chen) meets multi-faced thief Nine-Tailed Fox (Tony Leung) and washed out police detective Cheung Ho (Ekin Cheng). One wants to reveal the truth, one wants to steal the "Tang dynasty Pottery Horse" and one wants to bring criminals to justice. The three of them have different goals, but they must work together to acquire the pottery. Meanwhile, Nine-Tailed Fox is being hunted down by an old enemy and must evade capture. What will be the final outcome?

Cast

• Tony Leung Ka-fai as Lee Tan (李旦), known as the Nine-Tailed Fox (九尾狐), a multi-faced thief
• Ekin Cheng as Cheung Ho (張浩), a police officer and Ha Mui's boyfriend
• Kelly Chen as Ha Mui (夏梅), a television hostess
• Eric Tsang as Mr. Round (尚環), an antique appraisal expert
• Wong Cho-lam as Tung Yin (董燕), an antique appraisal expert and Heung's junior
• Wang Ziyi as Butch, Lee Tan's apprentice
• Wang Shuo as Chen Jun (陳俊)
• Mandy Lieu as Twin assassins
• Liu Kai-chi as Officer Wong (黃Sir), Cheung's ex-superior
• Stephanie Che as Eva Lam (林綺華), a television hostess and Ha's friend
• Luisa Maria Leitão as Ping (萍), host of the "Star Trackers"
• Jeannie Chan as Lee Tan's daughter
• Martin Goga as main dancer
• Predrag Bjelac as Gypsy King, owner of an attraction at the Amusement Park in Prague.

Production

Horseplay was filmed on location in Prague and London.^[3] While filming a motorcycle crashing scene, Tony Leung encountered an accident where he fractured three rib bones. Due to his injury, Leung, who was scheduled to film his first TVB series Line Walker, had to withdraw from the series.^{[4] [5]}

Theme song

• Why Not Tonight (不如今晚) / The Best Night (最好的夜晚)
  • Composer: Henry Mancini
  • Arranger: Ted Lo
  • Lyricist: Abrahim Chan
  • Producer: Mark Lui
  • Singer: Tony Leung Ka-fai, Ekin Cheng, Kelly Chen

Notes and References

1. Web site: HORSEPLAY. 29 May 2014. Box Office Mojo.
2. Web site: KELLY CHEN AND TONY LEUNG KA FAI PERFORM ON CCTV LUNAR NEW YEAR EVENT. 31 January 2014 .
3. Web site: 《盜馬記》MV再現梁家輝陳慧琳春晚合唱.
4. Web site: Tony Leung fractured 3 rib bones, unable to pay TVB's "debt".
5. Web site: Michael Miu and Raymond Lam Fight Corruption in 'The Apostle'.