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The
Longest Nite |
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review | notes | awards | availability | |
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Lost in hell: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai in The Longest Nite |
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Year: |
1998 |
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Director: |
Patrick
Yau Tat-Chi |
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Producer: |
Johnnie
To Kei-Fung, Wai Ka-Fai |
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Cast: |
Tony
Leung Chiu-Wai,
Lau Ching-Wan, Maggie
Siu Mei-Kei, Mark
Cheng Ho-Nam, Wong
Tin-Lam, Lung
Fong, Lam Suet |
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The
Skinny: |
An
incredibly engrossing crime film that thrills with its utter
nihilism. Probably the most exhilarating ride out of Hong
Kong this year. |
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Review
by Kozo: |
Continuing their streak, Milky Way Productions brings us this
dark crime thriller that’s gripping, nihilistic, and very,
very good. This is one of the blackest movies you’ll ever
see, and it’s directed to near perfection by Patrick Yau (The
Odd One Dies).
Tony Leung Chiu-Wai is Sam, a very
bad cop who’s caught in a brewing gang war in Macau. He works
for triad Brother K, who’s in negotiations with rival triad
boss Lung to join forces after a long-running feud. The impetus
for their union is the return of Mr. Hung, a legendary boss.
However, the word on the street is that there’s a contract
out on Lung’s life. Worse, the rumor mill maintains that it’s
Brother K who’s offering the five million as the Um Fa
(hidden reward) - which does nothing for gang peace.
Sam is given the job of preventing
any attack on Lung, thereby preserving the two gangs in their
stance against Mr. Hung. However, on the fateful day of Lung’s
arrival, a mysterious bald stranger (Lau Ching-Wan) walks
into town with a bag slung over his shoulder. Then things
get worse.
Disturbingly violent, perfectly paced,
and involving as hell, this picture is one of the purest genre
films you’ll ever see and proof that Hong Kong can still make
good movies. The plot twists are more plentiful than in L.A.
Confidential, but they’re buoyed by a gripping narrative
drive and an incredibly assured sense of style.
The film isn’t perfect: the confusing
storyline is littered with holes that exist only to further
the plot, and the stylized climax is a bit contrived. However,
the film is undeniably compelling. Sure, there is nothing
and nobody to connect to in this movie, but the filmmakers
clearly know that, and the acting and storytelling are top
notch. Both Tony Leung and Lau Ching-Wan display requisite
presence and even charisma as two truly heinous characters.
The Longest Nite won’t win any humanitarian awards
but you may not see a more enthralling picture out of Hong
Kong this year. (Kozo 1998) |
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Notes: |
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Though it won no Hong Kong Film Awards (movies of such nihilism
rarely win awards), it was honored with nominations for Director,
Screenplay, and Editing. Both Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Lau
Ching-Wan received nominations for acting. |
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Awards: |
18th
Annual Hong Kong Film Awards
• Nomination - Best Picture
• Nomination - Best Director (Patrick
Yau Tat-Chi)
• Nomination - Best Actor (Tony Leung
Chiu-Wai)
• Nomination - Best Actor (Lau Ching-Wan)
• Nomination - Best Screenplay (Szeto Kam-Yuen, Yau Nai-Hoi)
• Nomination - Best Editing (Chan Chi-Wai)
5th Annual Hong
Kong Film Critics Society Awards
• Recommended Film |
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Availability: |
DVD
(Hong Kong)
Region 0 NTSC
Universe Laser
Widescreen
Cantonese and Mandarin Language Tracks
Dolby Digital 5.1
Removable English and Chinese Subtitles |
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image
courtesy of the Hong Kong Film Critics Society
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| LoveHKFilm.com
Copyright ©2002-2008 Ross Chen |
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