Tuesday, January 04, 2005
A WORLD WITHOUT THIEVES
Featuring: Andy Lau, Rene Liu, Ge You
Brief Synopsis: One of two thieves come to protect an innocent chap's life savings from other thieves on his train journey back home.
Comments: The brief synopsis really doesn't do justice to this film because there are so many things going on at once from the progression of the relationship between the two lead characters, to the naive, innocence of the young man, to the rivalry between the gangs of thieves on the train and it all came together to work really well. Actually at first, I thought I was in the wrong film as I expected a 1940s setting and here there were handheld video cameras on screen! But my attention was captivated as the film progressed with the majestic landscapes adding to the feel of the film.
Andy Lau and Rene Liu are perfectly cast as they struggle with their choices throughout the film (to protect the boy or to rip him off in Andy Lau's case) and the is it a romance or not subplot. The innocence of the simple country boy is also well portrayed (and debated) as are the mutiple guises of the leader of the baddy thieves portrays. The girl in his group is also very cute in her own way! And let's not forget the fast moving hand scenes where wallets are stolen and fights are well fought. I also like the fact that the Chinese film industry are not afraid to have unhappy endings unlike their Hollywood counterparts.
Thing to learn from this film: Sometimes there is smoke without fire.
Rating: 7/10
Featuring: Andy Lau, Rene Liu, Ge You
Brief Synopsis: One of two thieves come to protect an innocent chap's life savings from other thieves on his train journey back home.
Comments: The brief synopsis really doesn't do justice to this film because there are so many things going on at once from the progression of the relationship between the two lead characters, to the naive, innocence of the young man, to the rivalry between the gangs of thieves on the train and it all came together to work really well. Actually at first, I thought I was in the wrong film as I expected a 1940s setting and here there were handheld video cameras on screen! But my attention was captivated as the film progressed with the majestic landscapes adding to the feel of the film.
Andy Lau and Rene Liu are perfectly cast as they struggle with their choices throughout the film (to protect the boy or to rip him off in Andy Lau's case) and the is it a romance or not subplot. The innocence of the simple country boy is also well portrayed (and debated) as are the mutiple guises of the leader of the baddy thieves portrays. The girl in his group is also very cute in her own way! And let's not forget the fast moving hand scenes where wallets are stolen and fights are well fought. I also like the fact that the Chinese film industry are not afraid to have unhappy endings unlike their Hollywood counterparts.
Thing to learn from this film: Sometimes there is smoke without fire.
Rating: 7/10
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