A story between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop. Their objectives are the same: to find out who is the mole, and who is the cop.
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Title: Infernal Affairs (2002)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Andy Lau | ... | Inspector Lau Kin Ming | |
| Tony Chiu-Wai Leung | ... | Chen Wing Yan (as Tony Leung) | |
| Anthony Chau-Sang Wong | ... | SP Wong Chi Shing (as Anthony Wong) | |
| Eric Tsang | ... | Hon Sam | |
| Kelly Chen | ... | Dr. Lee Sum Yee | |
| Sammi Cheng | ... | Mary | |
| Edison Chen | ... | Young Lau Kin Ming | |
| Shawn Yue | ... | Young Chan Wing Yan | |
| Elva Hsiao | ... | May | |
| Chapman To | ... | Tsui Wai-keung | |
| Ka Tung Lam | ... | Inspector B (as Lam Ka Tung) | |
| Ting Yip Ng | ... | Inspector Cheung (as Ng Ting Yip) | |
| Dion Lam | ... | Del Piero | |
 |
Chi Keung Wan | ... | Officer Leung (as Wan Chi Keung) |
|
|
Hui Kam Fung | ... | Cadet School Principal |
Chan Wing Yan, a young police officer, has been sent undercover as a mole in the local mafia. Lau Kin Ming, a young mafia member, infiltrates the police force. Years later, their older counterparts, Chen Wing Yan and Inspector Lau Kin Ming, respectively, race against time to expose the mole within their midst. Written by Aya
This movie should be compared to movie like Heat, even when the storyline are not the same. Movies like Hardboiled and A Better Tomorrow are predominately action-based, whereas this movie is more dramatic and emotionally-driven.
The main attraction is the mole hunts but it would not be as brilliantly done if not for the fireworks between the major characters.
The title from the explanation in the intro means "Endless Purgatory Road". This philosophy, to me, really made this movie more thoughtful. The two central characters both had to walk their road, in life and in their minds for a long time. Both had no choice but to keep walking. As they cross path, they were forced to play the game of cat and mouse by their superiors. While it is not certain who's the cat and who's the mouse, one thing is certain - the loser will die.
While there are four main characters, they are all males. This should be bad for any movie but I think this is one of the exception to the rule. The emotions and tension between the four were well-scripted and brilliantly played. It is no surprised each had at least one best actor awards in the Hong Kong industry. The sequels(2 prequels) will delve deeper into it.
Plotwise - it is hard to see any holes.
Seen it around six times, a lot for a drama.
I think you should ask yourself after the movie, "what would I do if I am in the same situation?". Right and wrong is harder to separate.