Could this movie be remade today?

Some of it still works, but a lot is also outdated. Poverty still exists in Hong Kong. In fact, the gulf between rich and poor is larger than ever, although they would have to relocate the movie to one of the poorer areas like Sham Shui Po. The theme of British racism against the Chinese doesn't work anymore after the handover to China reduced the British role in HK to insignificance. They just wouldn't care if the British are racist, especially with the meteoric rise of Hong Kong and China as a major economic and world power in the last couple of decades. Some say the way the prostitutes in the movie are portrayed as simpleminded - even including Suzie herself - is just as racist. There isn't a single educated, intelligent Chinese character in the movie, just the civilized Westerners versus the essentially primitive and subservient Chinese.

At least they should hire an actor who could say, "You're not even 20. I'm pushing 40," without looking like he's actually over 50. (I know Holden was only 42, but he looks like he lived and partied hard.)

Still, I have to admit I would miss the gorgeous scenery of 1959 Hong Kong in any remake.