| Inspector Chocolate | |||||||||||||||
| Native Name: |
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| Director: | Philip Chan | ||||||||||||||
| Screenplay: | Michael Hui Philip Chan | ||||||||||||||
| Producer: | Michael Hui | ||||||||||||||
| Starring: | Michael Hui Anita Mui Ricky Hui Sibelle Hu Roy Chiao | ||||||||||||||
| Cinematography: | Poon Hang-sang Ma Koon-wa | ||||||||||||||
| Editing: | P.P.S. Adrian Brady | ||||||||||||||
| Music: | Law Tik | ||||||||||||||
| Studio: | Golden Harvest Productions Hui's Film Production | ||||||||||||||
| Distributor: | Golden Harvest | ||||||||||||||
| Runtime: | 106 minutes | ||||||||||||||
| Country: | Hong Kong | ||||||||||||||
| Language: | Cantonese | ||||||||||||||
| Gross: | HK$22,485,500 | ||||||||||||||
Inspector Chocolate is a 1986 Hong Kong crime comedy film co-written and directed by Philip Chan, and also co-written, produced by and starring Michael Hui. The film co-stars Anita Mui, Ricky Hui, Sibelle Hu and Roy Chiao.
The film Inspector Chocolate is also known as Chocolate Inspector. The film's original title is Shen tan zhu gu li (Mr. Boo: Inspector Chocolate). The film's Chinese title is 神探朱古力. In Japan, the film is known as Mr. Boo 8: Inspector Chocolate.[1]
Although Chu Koo-lik (Chocolate) (Michael Hui) believes himself to have outstanding abilities, he has only reached the rank of Inspector despite working many years in the police force. Along with his cowardly assistant, Egg Tart (Ricky Hui), Chocolate is often occupied with nothing at the police station. One day, Chocolate's superior, Captain Wu (Roy Chiao), arranges his newcomer daughter, Kiu-kiu (Anita Mui) to work under Chocolate. However, Kiu-kiu and Chocolate dislike each other. Because Captain Wu deeply loves his daughter, he assigns simple cases to Chocolate, increasing Chocolate's dislike for Kiu-kiu.
Chocolate later receives a missing person case. Although he initially was uninterested, as the investigation goes on, the case suddenly took a dramatic turn, and full of mystery surrounds. Chocolate is determined to solve this case, with Kiu-kiu and Egg Tart under his wing.
Andrew Saroch of Far East Films rated the film a score of 4 out of 5 stars, praising Philip Chan's director and the performances of the main cast, especially Michael Hui, noting how "it is always a joy to watch how Michael bumbles his way through while his face betrays little emotion."[2] Hong Kong Digital gave the film a core of 7/10 and praises the film's script, its humor and Hui's comedic timing.[3]
The film grossed HK$22,485,500 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 19 December 1986 to 8 January 1987.
| Accolades | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremony | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
| 6th Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actor | Michael Hui | |
| Best Screenplay | Michael Hui, Philip Chan | ||