Hak bak jin cheung (2005)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Directors:

Siu-hung Chung
Jing Wong

Writer:

Jing Wong (written by)

Release Date:

7 April 2005 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Eric Tsang	...	Brother Dragon (as Eric Tseng)
Suki Kwan	...	Shan (as Shooky Kwan Sau Mei)
Shawn Yue	...	Fat
Emme Wong	...	Sai Ling
Suet Lam	...	Mike (as Lam Suet)
Roy Cheung	...	Sunny
Kin Fung Chan	...	Peter (as Samuel Chan)
Kai Chi Liu		(as Lui Kai Chi)
Jimmy Wong Ga Lok		(as Jimmy Wong)
Otto Wong
Wai-On Peng		(as Eddie Peng)
Sze Pui Lee		(as Lee Sze Pui)
Qing Zhe Wu		(as Andrew Wu)
Benjamin Chiang
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lan Shi	...	Dragon's wife
Chapman To

Also Known As:

Color of the Loyalty (USA) (informal English title)
Colour of the Loyalty (International: English title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Hong Kong:IIB | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Hong Kong, China

Company:

Mei Ah Films Production Co. Ltd.

Movie Connections:

Follows Hak bak sam lam (2003)

Excellent Crime Film

Following the success of "Infernal Affairs," there have been many films imitating but often failing in duplicating the movie in terms of box office success, script, acting ability, etc. This one delivers . . . kinda. The same problems I had with "Infernal Affairs" are still present in this film.

The story is complicated, but aren't they all? Shawn Yu plays "Fat," an orphan raised by his "Uncle Chai." Uncle Chai is a follower of Brother Dragon, who is played convincingly by Eric Tsang. And the movie follows them through a period of a year or so, where everything important seems to happen. Tsang is a very good actor in my opinion. His diminutive frame precedes and almost underestimates him. However, like in this film, and the other films that I've seen with him in it, he often steals the scenes, and is able to switch from "menacing" to "sympathetic" effortlessly and without seeming contrived.

The film in itself is more violent than your average HK crime/drama, although in some areas, it pussyfoots around where an unflinching camera shot would have been very effective. The twist ending is believable and very well-written.

The flaws of this film include Tsang's eyebrows (You'll know what I mean), Yue's inability to enunciate his words made for listening to the dialogue a chore, crappy acting and stereotypical roles by the female leads that almost made them unbelievable, and underestimated their execution. It may seem like there are many flaws. However, the main focus is not in their romantic lives. So other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this film.