| Because the basic story line is so familiar, the viewer rightly expects some twists and turns in the plot, or some freshness to the cinematic telling of the tale. Sadly it feels like a third-hand remake with a limited budget and imagination. Not only does it lack originality, but it also has the fatal flaw of being boring for stretches of time (scenes run too long, nothing happens, etc.). With a general torpor hanging like a dark cloud over the proceedings, it's tough going to watch this one through to its unsuprising conclusion.
Terence Yin Chi-Wai as Peter is not able to transcend his character as written -- an unsympathetic bad guy. So the center of the film sags a bit. Probably the brightest spot of this production are the supporting performances: Eric Mo Kai Yin as the boss' angry and conflicted right hand man, Ben Ng Ngai Cheung as the heartless boss, Hui Siu-Hung as Peter's police superior, Lam Suet as the blustery Xi Hwy, Samuel Leung Cheuk Moon as a pimp who seems to exist solely to get beat up, and (going out on a limb as to her name) Chan Yan Yan as Peter's feisty girlfriend Ah Li. |
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