Square Pegs (2002)

This show is an example of how to do a proper feel-good story. I laughed with the characters, cheered them on, and rewatched it when I was feeling down. The journey of Ah Wong is inspiring. If this man can live a good life with his disability, then we too can overcome our own problems.

Ah Wong is not your usual shiny leading man. He is mentally disabled, a child trapped in a body of grown man with a bad bowl cut to match. He represents the best in us, when we were young and most innocent. Your heart will break when he’s hurt, and it will rejoice when he rises to the challenge. Roger Kwok’s performance is spot on, nailing the tiniest detail from the voice, the hand gestures, to the facial expressions. This is his role of a lifetime. No other actor can touch him here, not even Tom Hanks as Forest Gump.

Jessica Hsuan is a very down-to-earth actress who rarely overdoes it. Give her any ridiculous plot and she will keep the story grounded. Her Choi Fung starts out a girl who doesn’t want to be stuck with Ah Wong and tries all sorts of tricks to get out of their marriage. Then she learns to adapt and slowly starts to care for the husband who can never really be a husband to her. Jessica, with her acting style, makes that progression totally believable.

The rest of the cast ranges from decent to very good. The script and the directing are basic. It’s really Roger who makes this show into something unique and memorable.

The reason why I can’t give this 10/10 is in the last few episodes. I have a hard time accepting that a woman would fall for a man who is, in effect, a child. It doesn’t feel right. Choi Fung may love Ah Wong, but to actually be in love? No. Just no.

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