The Log (1996)



	The Log		Return to Review Archive - L
	\| review \| awards \| availability \|		Kent Cheng and Michael Wong
	Year:	1996
	Director:	Derek Chiu Sung-Kei
	Producer:	Tommy Wong Kwong-Leung
	Writer:	Teddy Chan Tak-Sum, John Chan Kin-Chung, Lu Bing
	Cast:	Michael Wong Mun-Tak, Kent Cheng Juk-Si, Jerry Lamb Hiu-Fung, Mo Chun-Fai, Cher Yeung Suet-Yi, Lai Yiu-Cheung, Stephen Fung Tak-Lun
	The Skinny:	Allegorical cop flick from director Derek Chiu is too obvious in its meaning, but the film still survives as an involving, affecting drama. Kent Cheng won a Best Actor award for his portrayal of an ultimately too sympathetic cop.
	Review by Kozo:	Derek Chiu's cop drama has some obvious political overtones, but is nonetheless a gripping, character-driven potboiler. Michael Wong, Kent Cheng, and Jerry Lamb are three different cops who find their lives turned upside down one fateful day. That day just happens to be December 31, 1996, right before Hong Kong's scheduled handover to China. As such, the three stories are meant to be thinly-veiled allegory on Hong Kong's return. Michael Wong is Dixon, a no-nonsense, no-sympathy, shades-wearing negotiator who earns a suspension when he takes down the wrong man with his gun. Lamb is an irresponsible young cop who wastes his time on the beat - until he gets a sobering lesson in the realities of policework. And Cheng is Inspector Gump, a sympathetic, patient, and understanding cop who finds that his lifelong faith in society's institutions (both political and personal) has been misplaced. All these threads collide in a surprising and emotional climax that provides no easy answers. Derek Chiu may love his symbolism and heavy meaning, but he handles the film well, allowing the characters and actors to do their jobs. Michael Wong plays another variation on his hard-ass cop character, but at least this one isn't a "might makes right" supercop. Faring better are Jerry Lamb, who actually acts for a change, and Kent Cheng, who is extremely sympathetic and affecting as the embattled Inspector Gump. He snagged a Best Actor award for his troubles. The audience is rewarded with a good movie. (Kozo 1996)
	Awards:	16th Annual Hong Kong Film Awards • Winner - Best Actor (Kent Cheng Juk-Si) • Nomination - Best Director (Derek Chiu Sung-Kei) • Nomination - Best Supporting Actor (Jerry Lamb Hiu-Fung) • Nomination - Best Original Score (Tats Lau Yi-Tat)
	Availability:	DVD (Hong Kong) Region 0 NTSC Panorama Entertainment Widescreen Cantonese and Mandarin Language Tracks English and Chinese Subtitles

		image courtesy of Panorama Distribution Co., Ltd.
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