Film Review: INFERNAL AFFAIRS (2002)

Directors: Wai-keung Lau & Alan Mak
Running Time: 101 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Thriller/Drama
UK Release Date: 27^th February 2004

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 2^nd April 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is the film on which Martin Scorsese based his 2006 Oscar winning film, The Departed. Set in Hong Kong, it’s the story of two cops, one good and one bad and both on the wrong side of the fence, but I guess if you’re familiar with The Departed then you’ll already know that. The similarities between the two films are very striking, much closer than I expected, but more of my thoughts later. Here’s a brief summary first (summary haters, and those that don’t wish to know about the plot, please try to discover who the mole is while I write the next paragraph).

Lau Kin Ming and Chen Wing Yan were at the police academy academy at the same time. While Yan was expelled, Lau graduated and rose up through the ranks. The thing is, Yan was expelled for a reason, for the next ten years he was to work as an undercover cop in the Triads (criminal gangs in Hong Kong). Only two people knew about Yan, one of them has died and the other is Lau’s boss, SP Wong Chi Shing. Now working for the criminal boss, Hon Sam, Yan is becoming tired of his undercover life and longs to be free of his duties. Wong promises him that after they get Hon Sam he will be allowed to return to the fold. Unfortunately, as they are closing in, it becomes clear that Hon Sam has a man inside the police force; someone high up. There are now two insiders, a cop undercover in the Triad and a Triad spy amongst the cops. It’s now a race against time to discover the identity of the other guy before he identifies you… Gripping stuff! I’ll leave it there, you’ll appreciate if you’ve seen the film, that it’s very difficult to summarise this one without giving anything away.

This is a really well made film with some great stunts, thrilling music and a tremendous plot. Hong Kong cinema has come on a long way and it shows, the production is really well done and there are some great performances. All of the leading cast did very well, in particular; Andy Lau as Inspector Lau Kin Ming and Tony Leung Chiu Wai as Chen Wing Yan, both are excellent in this. Anthony Wong Chau-Sang was very good as SP Wong Chi Shing, as was Eric Tsang as Hon Sam. Honourable mentions also go to Kelly Chen as Dr. Lee Sum Yee and Sammi Cheng as Mary.

I find it hard not to draw comparisons with Scorsese’s ‘The Departed’, since this is the source material. I found it surprising that the two films are very close in the plot devices they use. If anything, I slightly prefer this version, it has something extra that I can’t define. Maybe it’s because it’s subtitled and you are forced to pay more attention, but I like this one slightly better. Of course, I think it goes without saying, this one comes very very highly Recommended!

MY SCORE: 9.5/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMdB Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/infernal_affairs/
Official Site: http://www.tfmdistribution.com/infernalaffairs/
Trailer: http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/infernal-affairs/trailer

Film Review: THE DEPARTED (2006)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Running time: 151 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

UK release date: 6th October 2006

Watched on DVD Sunday 21st November 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have lost count of the number of times this film has been recommended to me. Consequently I bought the DVD some time ago but never got round to watching it… until now. It is a remake of a 2002 Hong Kong film titled Infernal Affairs which was a big hit over there. It deals with crime and police corruption in Boston, and I must admit to those that recommended it to me, it’s pretty damn good! More of my thoughts later, here’s a brief summary first (summary haters take big Joey for a ride while I write the next paragraph… But don’t let me catch you readin’ it!!!).

State Detective, Billy Costigan, is from the South side of town; he has no family to speak of and so is targeted by Cpt. Queenan and Staff Sgt. Dignam who run undercover operations. They persuade him to get in with crime boss, Frank Costello, who they suspect is selling technology to the Chinese, amongst many other crimes. Little do they know that Costello has an inside man on the police task force, Colin Sullivan. Now Sullivan is not able to get the name of the undercover operative in Costello’s gang, but tips him off whenever the cops are getting near. After a while the cops become suspicious that Costello has an inside man amongst their ranks and start up an investigation to find out who the rat is. Cpt. Ellerby appoints Sullivan to lead the investigation. Add to this the fact that Costigan is slowly losing his mind the longer it goes on and has to see a police psychiatrist, Madolyn, who just happens to be Sullivan’s girlfriend. With both sides slowly closing in on the insiders a tense and shocking climax is in the offing.

I must say I really enjoyed this film up to a point. That point is the ending, I would have done it differently, but then who am I to argue with a man like Scorsese? A great script by William Monahan really brought out some great performances. First up I thought Leonardo DiCaprio was outstanding as Billy Costigan, Matt Damon totally made me forget the Bourne films as Colin Sullivan and, of course, Jack Nicholson was great, as ever, as Frank Costello. Also on the role of honour are; Mark Wahlberg as Staff Sgt. Dignam and Martin Sheen as Cpt. Queenan. Honourable mentions go to; Ray Winstone as Mr. French (Costello’s top henchman), Vera Farmiga as Madolyn, Anthony Anderson as Brown (a cop) and Alec Baldwin as Cpt. Ellerby.

A really engrossing film with just enough twists and turns to keep the audience enthralled without confusing too much. A great script and some really great performances only add to the enjoyment factor. I’ve already said I have a slight problem with the ending, but it is still a tremendous film and one I don’t hesitate to very highly recommend.


My score: 9.3/10

LINKS:
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/
Official Site: http://thedeparted.warnerbros.com/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/screenplay/vi686883097/