Duk sit dai jong

A Guilty Conscience has some of the most absurd, implausible courtroom scenes I have ever seen. The climax is so dramatic that it makes soap operas look grounded. It looks like the most exhausting trial ever. Lawyers shout at each other as if they are in a heated debate contest.

Our protagonist is the lawyer version of Doctor House: A bitter, talky person that solves cases in his own way. He is played by Dayo Wong, who used to be an infamous box office poison. Here he is better than ever (This doesn't mean he is great). The start of the plot is standard legal drama material (Think a Law and Order episode). Wong fails a big case involving a child's death, causing harm to an innocent person. Two years later the case returns... Yes, a Guilty Conscience recycles an ancient "redemption arc" story, yet it is done in a gloriously entertaining way.

None of the story is believable. They exist in an overwritten screenplay. Despite looking like and sounding like one, this is not a screwball comedy. Although when you think about it, certain parts are funny for the wrong reasons. The sudden rise of absurdity leaves me with a mixed feeling, but I sure am entertained.

NOTE: If you're planning to see this in theaters, be aware that the audio mixing is obnoxiously terrible. The dialogue is so loud, and gets covered by the even more deafening music. I felt like the lawyers were shouting beside my ears during the trial.

It's a Happy Chinese New Year movie and seems to be meant for fun. The 2.5hrs passed quickly and I didn't nap in the middle which is a mark of a good movie for me.

There are gags and chuckles and a chance to see the rich get eaten by us "normal" people. A fight against the ills we suspect the "other side" does, and gives you enough fuel and reason to keep fighting the good fight in this coming new year.

Dayo Wong carries the story believably but then when you leave, you wonder, could that really happen?

Just take it as fun. The plot has many things that don't make sense but don't worry, you're on the right side!

Obviously this movie has an alternative motive. It's a complaint to the system but over the top, almost as if in sulking anger and disenchantment. Maybe disillusioned as well.

Supposedly based on a real life case but this court room drama takes a life on its own. I like the acting of the crown lawyer much better as he's a bit more restrained. But then that's the counter to the defending lawyer.

The case is about a cover-up really. Of rich family blaming the poor or underprivileged. It's not bad, but probably picks up what the sentiment of the general population. So kind of court room Rocky. A feel good movie. So don't expect any logic in the arguments , or any legal sense or the court proceedings to be accurate in any stretch. It's all for dramatic effect.

The plot of A Guilty Conscience is a bit unrealistic at times. For example, it is hard to believe that a single mother would be able to afford a top-notch defense attorney, especially in Hong Kong, where the cost of living is so high. Additionally, the way that the attorney is able to uncover the truth about the woman's innocence is a bit too convenient.

Here are some specific examples of the unrealistic plot:

The single mother is able to afford a top-notch defense attorney, even though she is not wealthy.

The attorney is able to uncover the truth about the woman's innocence in a very short amount of time.

The police are not able to find any evidence that the woman is guilty.

Duk Sit Dak Jong / A Guilty Conscience (2023) is an engrossing story that envelopes the viewer through its highly involved characters and the resulting courtroom dramas that unfold due to the attitude an behaviour of a rather lazes fere Hong Kong Lawyer, who simply takes the job with ease and an over comfortable laziness in his approach to the law cases that cross his desk.

This particular lawyer and his colleagues try to save an innocent woman after his carelessness causes her lose the case ending up with a very unfair conviction, which creates the guilty conscience within himself, thereby pushing him to make some big changes not only within his life and approach to his legal position but to the larger scope of things where he can see how his action or inaction directly affect others negatively no thanks to his unscrupulous work ethic and lackluster approach to justice, instead of being astute, we see him basically just phoning-in a half-assed attempt at putting any real effort into following up his cases.

He learns to drop the arrogance and take on a more empathetic approach, once he is shaken up through a variety of details that come to the surface.

Brilliantly acted and not just another run of the mill, tyical Hong Kong movie ~ this film begs to be watched by all who love a solid courtroom drama that verges on being a thriller.

Definitely see it, and watch it with an open mind. Having lived in GuangDong Province for 8 years of my life, surrounded by Cantonese culture, this film greatly appealed to me from a Cultural viewpoint, with the wonderfully familiar accents, personas, characters, situations, scenery, locations, language and local cultural aspects at the fore of the film throughout, which i found very pleasing and enjoyable indeed.

However, whether you are familiar or unfamiliar with Hong Kong, Macau, GuangDong Province or Cantonese Culture in general, THIS is still a highly recommendable movie and a must-see film for court-room drama/thriller fans. No matter what culture you are from, this film is essentially about finding humanity, compassion and empathy within ourselves!