In this sense, the film suffers from some defects not very different from those shared by most adaptations of classical literary works. Even his cruelest act, the murder of Lotus' husband is justified with his deep romantic interest in the woman. However, 'Sex & Chopsticks' move further than its predecessors did and creates a rather compassionate background to Ximen Qing's exploits. Frankly, being a typical social parasite who uses his material wealth and other possible means to serve his sexual appetite and to ensure the subjugation of lesser people, he is no likable fellow at all. I have seen a number of Jin Ping Mei adaptations that take great liberties for creating a protagonist much more sympathetic than Ximen Qing (or Saimun Hing as you are likely to hear in Cantonese) is actually portrayed in the novel.
