The Lunatics

A mentally ill man named Doggie causes a disturbance while playing at the fish market, drawing the attention of bystanders and police who suspect he has taken a woman hostage. The scene exposes the tension between public order and mental illness in the neighborhood.

Mr. Tsui, a compassionate psychiatrist who volunteers his time, arrives at the market and calms Doggie enough for authorities to take him into custody. His steady presence signals a different, more humane approach to handling crises.

Miss Lau, a Hong Kong journalist, observes the resolution and becomes intrigued by Mr. Tsui's work. She starts seeing a larger story about public health, stigma, and care in the city.

Mr. Tsui and Miss Lau visit Tsuen, a patient who claims to have rehabilitated. He describes life after Castle Peak and the difficulties of staying stable when released into the community.

Tsuen notes that Castle Peak is nice, but once released it is easy to forget medication in the new environment. The exchange highlights gaps in aftercare and ongoing support for people with mental illness.

Tsuen asks Mr. Tsui to help him gain more time with his young son, but Tsui reminds him that custody or visit decisions are determined by a court. The moment reveals how legal proceedings intersect with mental health treatment.

Chung flees when he sees Mr. Tsui and leads him to his shanty where his daughter has measles. They bring her to the hospital, and Tsui questions Chung about his son, deepening the investigation into the family's troubles.

Chung insists that he did not kill his son and leads Tsui and the police to a spot in the woods where his son is buried. Ah Ming, the doctor who prescribed medicine for hepatitis, explains that he witnessed the birth of Chung's children and has cared for them, tying a personal history to the tragedy.

Tsuen attempts to take Ah Hei on an unscheduled trip to the store for his birthday, but his ex-wife catches him and chastises Ah Hei's teacher for allowing it. A confrontation with his ex-wife's new husband follows, and she threatens to file an injunction against Tsuen's visitation rights.

A physical confrontation arises between Tsuen and his ex-wife's new husband, after which the ex-wife announces the injunction. Tsuen returns home with a bump on his head and begins talking to himself, even breaking the necks of chickens brought to him by his mother.

At the hospital, Tsuen puts on a convincing show in front of the doctor and is released without being sent to Castle Peak, but outside the hospital he disappears for several hours. Mr. Tsui finds him, illustrating the fragility of monitoring patients after release.

Intending to raise awareness, Miss Lau writes a story about Tsuen's routine of breaking the necks of chickens. The piece backfires, prompting neighbors to mob Tsuen's apartment and turning public attention into fear and hostility toward the mentally ill.

The mob bangs on the door of Tsuen's apartment, and a struggle ensues as Miss Li tries to escape. Tsuen kills Miss Li with a cleaver, and a policeman is shot as Tsui grabs the officer's gun and shoots Tsuen to stop the rampage.

Mr. Tsui attempts to resign, but his boss resists because he is the last social worker on the side of the mentally ill. Meanwhile, Doggie's parents call to report that he wants to commit suicide, underscoring the ongoing crisis in families affected by mental illness.

Mr. Tsui locates Doggie at the fish market, but a photographer's flash bulb alarms him and Doggie swings a cleaver, fatally injuring Mr. Tsui. The funeral follows, and Miss Lau begins looking after the mentally ill on the streets of Hong Kong.