Chicken and Duck Talk

Chicken and Duck Talk

Year: 1988

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: Cantonese

Comedy

A witty and thoroughly engaging send-up of both the fast food business and the cut-throat techniques often employed by conglomerates to crush independent competition.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Chicken and Duck Talk yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Chicken and Duck Talk (1988)

Trace every key event in Chicken and Duck Talk (1988) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Health inspection chaos at Hui's restaurant

A health inspector visits Hui's Cantonese BBQ restaurant and discovers a cockroach in the soup along with other unsanitary conditions. He threatens to sue, jeopardizing Hui's livelihood. Hui's staff intervene and stop the inspector from leaving with any evidence, allowing the restaurant to stay open.

opening scene Hui's Cantonese BBQ restaurant, Hong Kong
2

Life above the shop

The restaurant operates on the ground floor while Hui and his family live upstairs. He constantly balances work pressures with family responsibilities. This setup foreshadows how their fortunes are tied to the business.

early Above Hui's restaurant, Hong Kong
3

Mother-in-law's visit and concerns

Hui receives a visit from his rich mother-in-law, who worries that Ah Kuen has married a lazy man. Her judgment adds another pressure point to Hui's already fragile finances. The scene sets up familial tensions that complicate business decisions.

early Hui's home / in-law residence, Hong Kong
4

Danny Poon opens a fast-food rival

Danny Poon launches Danny's Chicken across the street, using aggressive marketing to lure customers away from Hui's restaurant. The fast-food chain quickly captures attention with flashy techniques. Hui watches his profits plummet as competition intensifies.

mid-story Across the street from Hui's restaurant, Hong Kong
5

Cuttlefish leaves for Danny's Chicken

Discontent with pay and working conditions grows among Hui's staff, prompting Cuttlefish to leave for Danny's Chicken. He discovers Poon's regime is strict and humiliating during training. This departure signals the personal blow of the new competition.

soon after competition begins From Hui's restaurant to Danny's Chicken, Hong Kong
6

Cuttlefish's training at the rival

While at Danny's Chicken, Cuttlefish is put through a harsh training regime and is made to distribute leaflets dressed as a chicken. Hui's disgust grows as he witnesses the humiliation his former employee endures. The incident deepens the rift between sides.

during training Danny's Chicken, Hong Kong
7

Mother-in-law offers renovation funds

The mother-in-law offers to pay for a renovation to help Hui's ailing business, but Hui initially refuses due to pride. The gesture plants the idea that external help could turn the tide. This moment foreshadows a potential shift in Hui's approach to success.

before renovation decision Hui's restaurant, Hong Kong
8

Hui's son visits Danny's Chicken

Hui learns that his son visited Danny's Chicken with his girlfriend Judy. In a bid to regain control, Hui infiltrates the rival business dressed as an Indian woman, but Poon quickly exposes him. The incident highlights Hui's desperation and willingness to go to extremes.

mid-story Danny's Chicken, Hong Kong
9

Imitation of Poon's tactics backfires

Hui tries to copy Poon's marketing and packaging to appeal to the fashionable crowd, including redecorating and hosting a chaotic karaoke night. He also parades the street in a makeshift duck costume, triggering a physical altercation with Cuttlefish in a chicken suit. The stunt backfires, further alienating customers.

post-infiltration attempt Hui's restaurant and street outside, Hong Kong
10

Loyal customers begin to drift away

Hui's drastic changes scare away loyal patrons, including a Buddhist nun who regularly orders vegetarian noodles with no lard. The decline in steady customers underscores the fragility of Hui's brand without authentic tradition. The business struggle becomes more personal for Hui and his family.

after incident 9 Hui's restaurant, Hong Kong
11

Poon sabotages during a health inspection

Danny Poon launches a final sabotage by releasing rats into Hui's restaurant during a health inspection. The stunt threatens Hui's credibility and could ruin his livelihood. The tension peaks as the inspection deadline looms.

tension peak Hui's restaurant, Hong Kong
12

Cuttlefish returns to help

Cuttlefish returns to the duck restaurant, disillusioned with Poon's techniques and even attempting to foil the sabotage. His return injects a glimmer of hope that Hui might still salvage the business with some loyalty restored. The dynamics among ex-employees add emotional texture to the conflict.

aftermath of sabotage Hui's restaurant, Hong Kong
13

Renovation funded, mother-in-law departs

Hui finally accepts his mother-in-law's help to renovate the restaurant, and she departs for China afterward. The refurbishment signals a new chapter and a possible turning point for Hui's pride and business. The community anticipates a revitalized dining experience.

renovation phase Hui's restaurant, Hong Kong
14

Renovation pays off; rivals copy the roast duck

The renovation proves successful, attracting customers back to Hui's. Danny's Chicken responds by selling roast duck in imitation, but their version cannot match Hui's secret recipe. The local competition shifts as Hui regains credibility through authenticity.

after renovation Across the street, Hong Kong
15

Poon's arson attempt goes wrong

Angry at his defeat, Poon attempts arson to destroy Hui's restaurant, only for the plan to backfire. Hui risks himself to rescue Poon from the blaze, highlighting themes of pride, rivalry, and unexpected mercy. The rival's downfall ushers in a fragile peace and closure to the feud.

finale Danny's Chicken, Hong Kong

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:34

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Chicken and Duck Talk Summary

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Chicken and Duck Talk Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Chicken and Duck Talk

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