In the 1980’s, Jackie Chan continued to solidify his triple-threat talents. He acted, wrote, and directed a string of hits including PROJECT A, ARMOUR OF GOD, POLICE STORY, and PROJECT A II. In 1989, he applied his skills to the production of MIRACLES (also known as MR.CANTON AND LADY ROSE and THE CHINESE GODFATHER), and recruited his friends (and cache of stock actors and actresses) to perform in a big-screen retelling of the classic Frank Capra’s comedy, A POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES (which itself is a remake of Capra’s own LADY FOR A DAY). Though MIRACLES doesn’t always fire on all cylinders, Chan takes some risks (and I’m not referring to his wild stunt work in this film), and crafts a unique combination of gangster film, comical farce, period drama, and kung fu flick. While major studios like Disney and New Line, scramble to mine older films from Chan’s long career, Columbia Tristar releases their first DVD that does not cater to American mainstream tastes (in the sense that the film is shown uncut and without any attempts at Americanization).

The cast of MIRACLES is a veritable cavalcade of past Chan actors and actresses. Lovely Anita (RUMBLE IN THE BRONX) Mui stars as Lu Min, a nightclub singer, and love interest for Jackie’s character. Uncle Bill himself, Bill Tung, is featured as a con-artist. Comic actor Richard (MY LUCKY STARS) Ng stars as the inept Inspector Ho. Ko Chuen-Hsiang is the vicious gang leader, Tiger. Lo (5 FINGERS OF DEATH) Lieh plays the traitorous Black Dragon gang member, Fei. Gua (EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN) Ah Leh portrays the street peddler, Madam Rose. Gloria (PEACOCK KING) Yip plays the young daughter of Madam Rose. Tien Feng is a wealthy Canton celebrity and Madam Rose’s future in-law. MIRACLES also features many cameos from Hong Kong talents like Yuen Biao, Gloria Yip, Melvin Wong, Shum Wai, Ken Lo, Michael Chow, Lui Fong, Jacky Cheung, Amy Yip, Billy Lau , Lawrence Cheng, Ricky Hui,and Mars.

A Canton immigrant named Chen Wan Kuo (Jackie Chan), arrives in Hong Kong with bright hopes and dreams. His hopes are quickly dashed because he is deceived by con man Bill Tung. As things seem down for Chen Wan Kuo, he purchases a rose from a flower peddler, Madame Rose (Gua Ah Leh). Through a twist of fate, he gets caught up in a gangland brawl that results in a dying crimelord naming Chen Wan Kuo to succeed him. He is reborn as the head of the Black Dragon gang, and is christened Mr. Kuo by wise gangster, Uncle Hai (Wu Ma). Mr. Kuo feels that his change of fortune is due to the old woman that sold him the rose, so he continues to buy a flower from her every day and his success grows.

Mr. Kuo is a good-hearted man, who refuses to steal and murder, and does not carry a gun. Instead he uses his wicked martial arts skills to gain respect as the underworld leader. Mr. Kuo uses his newfound status to give some merit to the gang, and forces them to open a nightclub, rather than dealing with crime and extortion. He hires pretty songstress, Lu Min (Anita Mui), to perform at the nightclub, and give the venture a touch of legitimacy. Mr. Kuo and Ms. Yang quickly develop a relationship that is never consummated, because Mr. Kuo’s underworld confrontations with rival gang leader, Tiger (Ko Chuen-Hsiang) forces a wedge between the couple. On top of all this, Mr. Kuo must deal with the snooping (but inept) police investigation of Inspector Ho (Richard Ng), who is close to discovering the truth.

Mr. Kuo is a crime boss with a heart of gold, however, and when the Madam Rose falls on hard times, he quickly steps in with newly established gang. It turns out that Madam Rose has been sending her university-student daughter (Gloria Yip) what little money she earned, while assuring her daughter she is remarried to a wealthy man. When her daughter writes to say she is coming home with her rich fiancé, Madam Rose is in despair because she is single and poor. Lu Min convinces Mr. Kuo to help the old lady, and he agrees, but he leaves it in Lu Min’s hands to pull the deception off, because Mr. Kuo must deal with gang business. Lu Min gives Madam Rose a complete makeover and puts her up at a posh hotel complete with servants and a new husband (con man Bill Tung again). This sets up an outrageous scenario in which various gangsters, police officials, and Madam Rose’s future in-laws becoming embroiled in a merry chase of mistaken identity. All the while, Tiger’s gang wants to take over the night club, and the renegade Black Dragon member, Fei (Lo Lieh) is out usurp Mr. Kuo’s position. These events provide plenty of conflict (like fights and chase scenes) to the hilarious hijinks.

MIRACLES was intended to be Jackie Chan’s biggest films at the time, and because of his involvement in all areas, more money was pumped into the production. This resulted in a bigger cast, higher production values, and a more polished look than any previous Chan film. But because of the unorthodox combination of genres, and the emphasis more on plot than action, MIRACLES failed to ignite interest in the crowded Hong Kong market place (when it debuted in 1989). Jackie has always had an affinity for old Hollywood films and admits his influences are Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd among other early Hollywood talents. With MIRACLES, he pays homage to old Frank Capra comedies and includes his own trademark brand of Kung Fu craziness. The story of MIRACLES is full of charm, as Jackie concocts a fairy tale that is wrapped in sentimentality and warmth. To this day, MIRACLES remains Jackie’s own personal favorite film, and I believe that says a lot about it. Chan really shows his directing skills more than anything else. He uses some great camera angles and rolling tracking shots to depict the night club interiors and the phenomenal choreography bits. Chan gives the film a wonderful visual flair and a magical sense of motion.

MIRACLES is a huge departure for Chan in that it breaks from the traditional Hong Kong action trappings. There is lots of farcical comic situations that Jackie excels at, and lots of emotion. Of course, there is the breathtaking fight scenes and stuntwork, too. It’s just that these action sequences do not dominate MIRACLES like most of his other projects. In fact there really is only three extended action sequences, placed throughout the film. So if you are a hardcore action fan who needs to see action every five minutes, you may want to pass on MIRACLES, because you’ll be disappointed. But if you appreciate Jackie’s comedy skills you’ll be highly amused. Chan’s biggest critics accuse his films of being all action, and no plot; this is not the case with MIRACLES. When the action sequences finally come, they are fast and furious (and in my opinion worth the wait through the slower portions of the film.). The conclusion of MIRACLES features an awesome showdown inside a rope factory that you have to witness to believe. Members of the Jackie Chan mailing list voted this scene the best fight sequence in any Chan movie. And again, Chan films this confrontation with some superb camera angles that really enhance the intensity.

-  Tony Mustafa