Lost in Hong Kong

Lost in Hong Kong is a 2015 Chinese action comedy film directed and starred in by Zheng Xu, a well-known comedian and director in China. The movie also features acclaimed actress Wei Zhao and comic actor Bei'er Bao. This dramatic and hilarious narrative also serves as the third instalment in Xu's "Lost in" series, following the successes of Lost in Thailand (2012) and Lost in Russia (2014).

Lost in Hong Kong kickstarts with Xu Lai (played by Zheng Xu) – a former artist now forced into a mundane life as a bra designer – living a rather unsatisfied life with his domineering wife, Cai Bo (played by Bei'er Bao). Xu Lai's only solace comes from his dreams of rekindling the romance with his college sweetheart, Yang Yi (played by Wei Zhao), who ended up being a renowned artist. These dreams provide a comforting escape route from his loveless marriage and uninspiring life.

The plot takes an unexpected twist when Xu Lai gets an opportunity to attend a family trip to Hong Kong, making it an opportune moment to meet Yang Yi, who is also based in the city. He sees this as a perfect chance to reignite their lost love. On the verge of realizing his plans, though, he gets snagged by his aspiring filmmaker brother-in-law (played by Du Juan), who insists on documenting every moment of their vacation for his amateur movie piece.

Further complications ensue when an unfortunate incident during their journey entwines them with a murder mystery, tipping the story over from the rom-com realm to thriller territory. The unexpected series of events propels Xu Lai into a chaotic scramble through the vibrant, neon-lit streets of Hong Kong. He juggles dodging a tenacious detective hot on their trail, maintaining the façade of a happy husband for his wife, and trying to re-connect with his long-lost love.

Lost in Hong Kong is a skillfully woven tapestry of action, comedy, drama, and romance that thrusts the audience into a roller coaster ride filled with laughter, nail-biting suspense, and emotional moments. Its strengths lie in the perfect blend of slapstick comedy, dramatic scenes, and action sequences delivered against the dazzling, picturesque backdrop of metropolitan Hong Kong.

Zheng Xu's commendable directorial effort shines through in Lost in Hong Kong, his distinctive comedic timing, and engaging storytelling keeps the viewers glued to their seat. He morphs into the character of Xu Lai effortlessly, bringing to life the character's desperate desire to reclaim his past love, whilst serving justice and escaping the ridiculous family drama.

Wei Zhao brings depth to her character Yang Yi, masterly portraying the graceful, mature artist who carries a past that still haunts her present. Bei'er Bao brings comical relief through his character Cai Bo, oblivious to his brother-in-law's antics and his constant pursuit to capture a cinematic masterpiece during their chaotic vacation.

Lost in Hong Kong is a wild ride - an amusing exploration of human desires, love, and dreams that often get buried over time due to the weight of familial responsibilities and societal expectations. It presents a clever contrast of modern surreal lifestyles against the breathtakingly real backdrop of Hong Kong city.

Above all, the film serves as a profound commentary on life's ironies—a man desiring freedom trapped in the shackles of his marriage; an artist-turned-bra designer seeking an outlet for his suppressed creativity; a filmmaker, oblivious of the real mystery unravelling, solely focused on capturing the mundane.

In summation, Lost in Hong Kong isn't just a comedy film. It encapsulates a range of emotions and thought-provoking elements that hold a mirror to society, straddling effortlessly between humor, action, and sentiment. Loaded with wit, absurdity, suspense and emotionally-charged scenes, it's a cinematic jewel guaranteed to leave the audience thoroughly entertained, vastly amused and deeply touched.