Running Out of Time (1999)
"Am zin" (original title)

Police inspector and excellent hostage negotiator Ho Sheung-Sang finds himself in over his head when he is pulled into a 72 hour game by a cancer suffering criminal out for vengeance on Hong Kong's organized crime Syndicates.

Director:

Johnnie To

Writers:

Nai-Hoi Yau, Laurent Courtiaud,

Stars:

Andy Lau, Ching Wan Lau, YoYo Mung

5 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andy Lau	...	Cheung
Ching Wan Lau	...	Inspector Ho Sheung-Sang (as Lau Ching Wan)
YoYo Mung	...	Leung Yuen Ting - Girl on Mini Bus (as Yoyo Mung)
Waise Lee	...	Baldy (as Lee Chi Hung)
Shiu Hung Hui	...	Chief Inspector Wong Kai-fat (as Hui Shiu Hung)
Suet Lam	...	Suet, Baldy's Henchman (as Lam Suet)
Ruby Wong	...	Head of Interpol
Wai Ai	...	Cop at bank (as Al Wai)
Wai Kin Lam	...	Negotiator Hui (as Lam Wai Kin)
Robert Sparks	...	Diamond Dealer
Wai Leung Hung	...	Building Caretaker (as Hung Wai Leung)
Ching Ting Law	...	Elevator Cop (as Lo Ching Ting)
Man Shing Yau	...	Bank Robber (as Yau Man Shing)
Tin Hung Yee	...	SPU Leader (as Yee Tin Hung)
South Kei Lee	...	Street Thug (as Lee South Kei)

Storyline

Dying Wah has nothing to be afraid of anymore when he realizes that he has only 4 weeks to live, and he's determined to get revenge for his father. Later, when Wah successfully gets away in a robbery, detective San makes up his mind and chases after Wah and arrests him. But, we can only have one winner in a game, who's gonna win?

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Plot Keywords:

hong kong | revenge | negotiator | police | arrest | 

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Taglines:

A criminal genius, who has only 14 days left in his life. A CID, who has the support of the entire police force. A psychological but fatal game between two men of super talent.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese English

Release Date:

23 September 1999 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Running Out of Time

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Box Office

Gross:

SGD 356,158 (Singapore) (5 November 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

China Star Entertainment, Win's Entertainment Ltd., Milky Way Image Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Doctor: Looks like we won't see each other again.
Cheung: Only in this life, doctor.

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Connections

Followed by Running Out of Time 2 (2001)

User Reviews

Excellent piece of Hong Kong cinema!

Having seen 'only' about 200 Hong Kong films in my time, I have to say this film is among my very top favorites. Not only is the plot engaging (and in some ways surprising, which these days is rare for any movie), but the chemistry between the two lead actors is superb. Top notch casting! And while often even the most serious HK films tend to insert quite a bit of humor in between all the drama and action, often spoiling the mood a bit, here the jokes are kept subtle and woven into the plot, even improving character relations. The music is also very well done, and the two main themes are very beautiful. With the release of the HK special Edition, they've even cleaned the picture (first release was grainy) and the subtitles, even if the quality of the translation is still lacking (nothing new there). All in all, if you have to see a HK film that isn't directed by John Woo or have Chow Yun Fat in it, this should be at least on your short list! A truly fascinating and entertaining watch!