The Diary of a Big Man

The Diary of a Big Man

Year: 1988

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Chor Yuen

ComedyRomance

A duplicitous bigamist teams with his longtime friend Chi Hung, concocting endless schemes to hide his two wives. A meddling police officer and a chain of mishaps expose the ruse, leading the wives to discover the deception. Joined by Chi Hung’s frustrated fiancée, Ka Lai, they exact revenge on the two men.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Diary of a Big Man (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Diary of a Big Man (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Hong Kong, Paris, United States

The story unfolds primarily in Hong Kong, a bustling, neon-drenched metropolis. It also relocates to Paris and the United States, providing romantic backdrops for the two wives and their different lives. These locations are used to stage the film's farcical misdirections and chase-comedy, highlighting the contrast between local urban life and Western romance.

🏙️ Urban landscape 🗺️ Cosmopolitan settings 🚗 City life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:04

Main Characters – The Diary of a Big Man (1988)

Meet the key characters of The Diary of a Big Man (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Chow Ting-fat (Chow Yun-Fat)

A charismatic yet scheming bigamist, Chow dreams of wealth and multiple romances. He relies on intricate timetables and excuses to keep his two wives from discovering each other, but his plans are always on the brink of collapse. Charming and reckless, he misreads loyalty and consequence, leading to comic and painful fallout.

🃏 Trickster 💼 Charismatic conman 😂 Comedic

Joey

A boutique owner who becomes one of Chow's wives, Joey embodies social savvy and sharp wit. She forms part of the tangled web of deception and later teams with Sally to confront Chow. Her involvement escalates the stakes and adds to the film's playful, corrective humor.

🧵 Fashionable 🎭 Witty 💥 Assertive

Sally

An air-hostess who marries Chow, Sally embodies independence and a readiness to take action. She travels to surprise him, eventually forcing the truth to surface. Her character balances charm with determination as she navigates the complexities of Chow's double life.

✈️ Cosmopolitan 💪 Determined 🧭 Navigating

Chi Hung

Chow's best friend and accomplice, Chi-hung is loyal but overwhelmed by the double life. He orchestrates alibis and tries to shield Chow from trouble, yet his own insecurities and jealousy create tension. His involvement adds a layer of comedic tension and human vulnerability.

🤝 Loyal 😅 Overburdened 🌀 Neurotic

Ka Lai

Chi Hung's girlfriend, Ka-lai is suspicious and eventually drawn into the social maelstrom around Chow. Her jealousy and curiosity amplify the drama, making her another catalyst in the web of relationships. She embodies the consequences of infidelity for those around the central trio.

👀 Suspicious 💬 Curious 😤 Fiery

Inspector Cheng

A police inspector who becomes suspicious of Chow's entanglement with two wives. His investigations drive the plot's tension and frequently collide with Chow's evasive tactics. His presence adds an element of law and order to the otherwise playful chaos.

👮 Police 🕵️ Suspicious 🧩 Investigative

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:04

Major Themes – The Diary of a Big Man (1988)

Explore the central themes of The Diary of a Big Man (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💍 Bigamy and Deceit

The central premise revolves around Chow's attempt to juggle two wives through elaborate schedules and lies. The humor and tension stem from increasingly improbable schemes that unravel under close scrutiny. The theme shows how deceit corrodes trust and disrupts personal lives, despite outward confidence.

🎭 Identity and Masks

Chow and Chi-hung frequently adopt false identities to shield the truth, turning social roles into movable masks. The plot stages a series of disguises, excuses, and mistaken assumptions that expose the fragility of personal truth. The interplay of performance and reality questions what constitutes genuine relationships.

👭 Female Solidarity

Sally and Joey, initially unaware or skeptical, ultimately confront Chow together, transforming rivalry into a shared stand against deceit. Their alliance demonstrates strength, wit, and independence as they navigate the deception. The culmination reinforces that women can unite to reclaim agency in a chaotic situation.

🏨 Comic Chaos

The film leans into farce: misdirection, slapstick, and over-the-top set pieces in hotel rooms and public spaces. Each escalation heightens the absurdity while driving the characters toward a purer, more human resolution. The chaotic energy underlines the entertainment value of a romantic comedy built on lies.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:04

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The Diary of a Big Man Summary

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The Diary of a Big Man Summary

The Diary of a Big Man Timeline

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The Diary of a Big Man Timeline

More About The Diary of a Big Man

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More About The Diary of a Big Man

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