Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 13, 2023

Wayne Wang's "Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive" (1989) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arbelos. The supplemental features on the release include new programs with Wayne Wang and Spencer Nakasako; original trailer; and more. In Cantonese, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The Rolex man

If you keep two very important details in mind, everything that occurs in Wayne Wang’s film Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive -- which is plenty and most of the time can appear perplexingly chaotic -- will begin to make perfect sense to you.

First, this film was inspired by frustration -- frustration with the way Hong Kong was during Wang’s childhood years, frustration with how Wang’s maturation as a filmmaker was progressing, frustration with Wang’s inability to overcome different obstacles that prevented him from shooting films in Hong Kong as he wanted. Second, Wang was a rebel inspired by Jean-Luc Godard’s new vision of cinema. There were other directors whose ideas and work had a profound impact on him, but Godard was his idol. Wang wanted to break cinematic taboos, change perceptions, and, if an opportunity came along, create drama and even scandalize as Godard did. To be clear, Wang was not delusional and did not think of himself as the Godard of Hong Kong. He simply liked the possibilities that Godard’s new vision of cinema presented, and during the early stages of his filmmaking career planned to take advantage of them.

Now that you are aware of this important information, you will quickly begin to see some quite obvious similarities between Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive and Godard’s latter, more unconventional films. For example, even though The Man With No Name (Spencer Nakasako) is introduced by Wang as the main protagonist of his film, he is just one of many pieces in it that move at will. Also, while there are some interesting developments and relationships that are defined by them, Wang is not focused on them. Wang is focused on Hong Kong, its identity and vitality, how the beautiful and the ugly coexist in it, and what it does to control its residents. So, while following The Man With No Name and several other individuals he comes in contact with, Wang is assembling a cinematic image of Hong Kong that he believed was authentic.

Wang’s work in Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive is unique for two reasons. First, Wang was never as good as Godard. Second, Wang had -- and judging by the two new programs with him and Nakasako that are included on this release still has -- an unusually wicked sense of humor. While Wang’s complete cinematic image of Hong Kong is pretty decent, it is this wicked sense of humor that makes Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive worth seeing.

But it is also the reason Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive is frequently described as horrible and in the past even rated as a risqué film. In other words, Wang’s wicked sense of humor is so out there that too many that give Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive a try do not get the funny in it. What about you? Will you get it?

It is best to approach Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive as you would a brand new drug, meaning that you should expect results to vary. However, if you are not easily offended and appreciate a good flogging of the socio-cultural status quo with a touch of nihilism, similar in some ways yet a lot rougher than the one observed in Marco Ferreri’s The Big Feast, at the very least you will be amused by it. There is one more thing that will resonate with you if you find Wang’s wicked sense of humor appealing. Wang’s frustration is one hundred percent sincere, not manufactured, which is why the funny it produces also stings.

*This upcoming release from Arbelos introduces a brand new 4K restoration of Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive, which is also a reconstruction job. It presents Wang’s final cut of the film from 2021, which incorporates additional footage that was shot in Hong Kong in 1996.

Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.67:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arbelos.

I could not believe how good this film looks after it was restored in 4K. I have never seen or owned a DVD release of it, but in previous years, I had it taped, and it looked quite bad even by VHS standards. Sure, it should not be surprising that a proper new 4K restoration would produce a great technical presentation, but I was genuinely shocked to see how great the makeover is. (For what it's worth, after it was restored, Chan Is Missing looked terrific, too). Delineation, clarity, and depth range from very good to outstanding, with the only exception being the added footage which has a different native resolution. During the long chase sequence, as well as in a couple of other areas where the camera moves quickly, some small fluctuations are present, but this is how the film was shot. Color reproduction is fantastic. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. However, and this is my only minor criticism, I think that some encoding optimizations could have been made to ensure stronger and more even grain exposure. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks spotless. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the exchanges of English. Otherwise, the English subtitles appear automatically for the exchanges in Cantonese.

The film does not have a prominent soundtrack. There is some music, but it does not produce any memorable dynamic contrasts. The dialog is clear, but from time to time organic sounds and noises flood the film and introduce partial unevenness. I did not encounter any audio dropouts or distortions to report in our review.

Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview with Wayne Wang - in this exclusive new program, Wayne Wang discusses his childhood years in Hong Kong, how he inherited his father's passion for cinema, his move to America, and the evolution of his career. Wang also discusses the production history of Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive, its most unimpressive reception, and some of its themes. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Interview with Wayne Wang and Spencer Nakasako - in this exclusive new program, Wayne Wang and Spencer Nakasako discuss their friendship and collaboration on Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive, and share several hilarious stories about Hong Kong reality, gangsters, culture, and politics. In English, not subtitled. (29 min).

• Original Chase Sequence - presented here is the original long chase sequence from Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive. Fully restored. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a new trailer for the recent 4K restoration of Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Booklet - a 10-page illustrated booklet featuring critic Aliza Ma's essay "Missing Link" and technical credits.

Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It is quite hilarious to see so many contemporary critics praising Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive because I remember very well the time when it was considered an impossibly bad film. A lot of people did not even know what to think of it because Wayne Wang's wicked sense of humor was so out there they could not detect the funny. The truth is that it is not a brilliant film or even an undeservedly ignored gem. It is a very interesting personal project inspired by sincere frustration that Wang had to release at a particular moment in time in order to move on with his career and life. It is why Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive does not work as a straightforward comedy and is most effective as a time capsule with an eccentric personality. This upcoming Blu-ray release introduces a fabulous new 4K restoration of Wang's final cut of Life is Cheap… But Toilet Paper is Expensive. RECOMMENDED.