Infernal Affairs

Chinese title: 無間道

Theme Song
Andy Lau & Tony Leung - Infernal Affairs (available in Cantonese and Mandarin)

Cast:

Andy Lau- Ming
Tony Leung- Yan
Eric Tsang- Sam
Anthony Wong- Inspector Wong
Guest Starring:
Edison Chen- Young Ming
Shawn Yu- Young Yan
Sammi Cheng- Ming's girlfriend Mary
Kelly Chen- Yan's psychiatrist & love interest Dr. Lee
Cameo appearances by Elva Hsiao and Gordon Lam

The Gist:

Major Hong Kong (HK) film success, grossing $55 million HK and therefore becoming the 2nd highest grossing HK film ever behind Stephen Chow's "Shaolin Soccer".

Ming and Yan lead double lives, with Ming being a high-ranking police inspector who is secretly a triad mole, and Yan who's been a police mole in the triad world for 10 years and is starting to question his own sanity and morality. Sam is the ruthless triad leader with Yan being his right-hand man, but of course due to Ming feeding him information for the past decade, Yan never gets a chance to get evidence to nail Sam and must thus stay. Inspector Wong is the only character who knows Yan's true identity besides the computer files in the whole police department. The thrill of the chase, with both Ming and especially Yan trying not to be killed by either side, creates gripping cinematic tension that climaxes to a completely unpredictable ending. Mary and Dr. Lee provide the usual romantic subplots which thankfully aren't overused as filler.

Review:

An amazing crime thriller which deserves the hype and success it received. Although the plot has been done to death in HK cinema, the writers do enough with it and add their own little twists (i.e. the ending) to place it above the rest. Phenomenal performances by HK film gods Andy Lau, who brings a sinister yet confused character to Ming, and Tony Leung, who brings his own subtle underacting to Yan. Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang deliver their usual good stuff, and even Edison Chen and Shawn Yu are tolerable actors here. Kudos to the cinematography, contrasting dark colours for the underground triad world with the bright lights of HK's city skyscrapers. Kudos especially to the directors who created terrific suspense through the thrill of the chase. A great soundtrack too.

Complaints: Is Ming good or evil? We never learn about that one although it seems he leans toward the more immoral side even though he seems to want to be good. I don't like Kelly Chen, and the audience could have done without Elva Hsiao's cameo. Both Edison Chen and Shawn Yu look a little shrimp-like shirtless.

The Consensus:
Watch this to redeem your faith in HK cinema. A terrific movie.

Extra Stuff:
-Hollywood has bought the credits to this movie and is planning to release its own version with Brad Pitt playing either Ming or Yan

-The prequel has been released, focusing on Young Ming and Young Yan, starring Edison Chen and Shawn Yu, with newcomer Sammi-lookalike Yu Chiu playing Mary

-The sequel is currently being filmed, starring all the regulars plus Leon Lai and a comeback from Tony Leung

Awards Won at the 22nd Annual HK Film Awards include: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai), Best Supporting Actor (Anthony Wong Chau-Sang), Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Original Song