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Well-made, realistic Hong Kong thriller.
In the role of Yan, we see Tony Leung, better known as the world's best actor after films like Bullet In The Head, In The Mood For Love and Hero. Leung plays a police officer who has been undercover for 9 years and wants out at any cost. He has trouble sleeping and can only sleep with his therapist. In the role of Ming we see Andy Lau, also a superstar in Hong Kong but in lighter productions. In Infernal Affairs he is fantastic as the cop who is torn between his obligations to the Triad and his ambition to become a real cop. Just like Yan, his life is one big lie.
Two men. Both undercover. One with the triad, one with the police. In flashbacks from the cadet school, Shawn Yue plays young Yan and Edison Chen plays young Ming. Both have significantly larger roles in the prequel that was quickly produced. Police chief Wong (Anthony Wong) and mob boss Sam (Eric Tsang) are the only ones who know each other's identities. Even though the plot sounds quite simple, the film never ceases to surprise.
What keeps Infernal Affairs from a higher rating is a certain inconsistency in the storytelling. Sometimes it is fate that guides the story forward, sometimes chance, sometimes the characters. And Ming's girlfriend writing a book about a schizophrenic person feels a bit clever.
Many believe that with Infernal Affairs Hong Kong cinema has grown up. Infernal Affairs is NOT over-the-top. The actors do NOT overplay. No car chases, no special effects and just a little slow-motion. The film is strikingly low-key and subtle. Just take the scene when Yan meets an old girlfriend in town and she lies about her daughter's age. Look at her eyes, hear her answer a little too quickly. The scene becomes an effective contrast to Ming's happy family life, he has the life that Yan should have. But to claim that Infernal Affairs would be some kind of trend breaker just shows ignorance. This is exactly the kind of well-made, realistic crime films Ringo Lam has been directing since City On Fire in 1987. But of course, this is the Hong Kong film for those of you who don't like Hong Kong films. You who preferred Heat and De Niro/Pacino to Face/Off and Travolta/Cage.
FYI: Martin Scorsese directed an American remake.
Two men. Both undercover. One with the triad, one with the police. In flashbacks from the cadet school, Shawn Yue plays young Yan and Edison Chen plays young Ming. Both have significantly larger roles in the prequel that was quickly produced. Police chief Wong (Anthony Wong) and mob boss Sam (Eric Tsang) are the only ones who know each other's identities. Even though the plot sounds quite simple, the film never ceases to surprise.
What keeps Infernal Affairs from a higher rating is a certain inconsistency in the storytelling. Sometimes it is fate that guides the story forward, sometimes chance, sometimes the characters. And Ming's girlfriend writing a book about a schizophrenic person feels a bit clever.
Many believe that with Infernal Affairs Hong Kong cinema has grown up. Infernal Affairs is NOT over-the-top. The actors do NOT overplay. No car chases, no special effects and just a little slow-motion. The film is strikingly low-key and subtle. Just take the scene when Yan meets an old girlfriend in town and she lies about her daughter's age. Look at her eyes, hear her answer a little too quickly. The scene becomes an effective contrast to Ming's happy family life, he has the life that Yan should have. But to claim that Infernal Affairs would be some kind of trend breaker just shows ignorance. This is exactly the kind of well-made, realistic crime films Ringo Lam has been directing since City On Fire in 1987. But of course, this is the Hong Kong film for those of you who don't like Hong Kong films. You who preferred Heat and De Niro/Pacino to Face/Off and Travolta/Cage.
FYI: Martin Scorsese directed an American remake.
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