Review: It takes star power, charisma, stunning beauty, and a fashion sense to become the reigning queen of Hong Kong’s box office. With all these characteristics and more than a handful of albums to boot, the quirky yet magnificently charming Sammi Cheng will reign supreme for years to come. Add Johnnie To to that mix and you’ll have blockbuster hits every damn time. In yet another combined effort by Cheng and To, My Left Eye Sees Ghosts is a film that proves without a doubt, a winning combination should be left intact until the “wheels fall off” (Martin Lawrence’s Runteldat).

Romantic comedies have always been Cheng’s forte. The super smash hit Needing You with Andy Lau pole-vaulted Cheng’s movie career to new heights. However, in an interesting turn of events, Johnnie To decide it was time to see Cheng in a new role where she would be given the opportunity to carry the movie on her shoulders. My Left Eye Sees Ghosts turned out to be that exact film. The film is touted as a pure comedy; however, I must say it seems to be more than just that. To and Ka-Fai threw in a dramatic twist that made for an entertaining experience. As corny and unimaginative the title may seem, the film is actually surprising as it is touching.

Displaying her best overall performance to date, Cheng’s portrayal of the seemingly money-hungry May sheds new light on her acting career. Cheng manages to annoy with a passion, even more so than her character in Summer Holiday. May seems to be a selfish slob who doesn’t care about anything. She eats, sleeps, and just watches T.V. all day long and mopes around without a care in the world. It will seem almost unbelievable to the audience that May would be able change her conniving ways for the better, but somehow Cheng (and the writers) pulls it off without a hitch.

The story leading into the transformation is the real key however. Laugh out loud jokes and a hysterical performance by the popular Lau Ching Wan will be misleading in a way. At first glance, you’ll wonder if the film will stay this way throughout, but it won’t. It will change in an instance without you even knowing it. Without the viewers’ blood boiling, the inevitable twist won’t be much of a surprise. It seems To and Ka-Fai has outdone themselves this time. It may take a while for the audience to accept what has just happened, but you’ll actually be more than content in the end.

The entertainment value is quite high in this one also. The cast is actually very good for what they’re worth. Each character is used as a comical addendum and none are overused or underused for that matter. Bonnie Wong plays May’s mother-in-law whom is actually quite fond of May despite her stubborn exterior. Then there is May’s sister-in-law played by the young and attractive Cherrie Ying. She also takes a liking in May and begins a sort of close big sister-little sister relationship. However, the real big player is of course the man himself, Lau Ching Wan. He plays Ken, a goofy young ghost who’s been sent by a greater being to watch over May during her problematic transition of losing her husband. It was just an amazing ride watching Wan play a young ghost trapped in a middle-aged man’s body. His performance was riotous and extremely wholehearted. If you’re not going to watch this film for Cheng’s performance, then at least take a gander at the hilarious character of Ken.