Wednesday, January 6, 2010

248. Infernal Affairs

Infernal Affairs (2002)

Starring: Tony Leung Chiu Wai
Tony Leung Chiu Wai
Eric Tsang

IMDb rating: 7.9
MY rating: 8

"What thousands must die, so that Caesar may become the great"







It is a time honored "Hollywood tradition" to take incredible foreign films and make them even... well worse. Whenever I hear that a film from a far away land is going to be remade, I have to cringe. It's my dream that subtitles will be sufficient for the average movie watcher one day. I know that's the equivalent of "world peace" in the film world though. I can count on one of my hands, where a remake has shown it's original source any justice. Sometimes it does work though. As in the case of Infernal Affairs and it's remake Martin Scorsese's The Departed.

Infernal Affairs tells the story of Chan-wing Yan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and Lau Kin-ming (Andy Lau). Two men who have been placed by rival forces to infiltrate each other's worlds. When Yan is in training to join the police force, he quickly gains the attention of Inspector Wong. Wong then sends Yan undercover to become a mole for the police department. On the other hand, Ming has been groomed since he was a young man to join the police department. Once he is apart of the police department, he is to become the Triad societies very own mole within.

Ten years later, Yan has forged himself deep into the Triad society. He is trusted by the gang's leader Hon Sam in all matters. Although, after such a long time undercover, Yan is starting to want a normal life. On the other hand, Ming has become a key figure in the police force. He has been placed directly under Inspector Wong. After a failed drug bust, the Triad and police department are alerted that a mole exists on both sides. It soon becomes a race to see who will uncover who first.

Infernal Affairs does not disappoint. It moves at a very fast pace and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Even though I was aware of what was going to basically happen, I was still intrigued throughout the whole film. Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Andy Lau are both incredible as the rival cop and gang member. Their face to face encounters draw you in, and won't let you look away. The films score by Chan Kwong Wing is one of the best I have heard in modern cinema. It brings to mind some of the faster paced music from A.R. Rahman's Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack.

One thing this film does not lack is emotion. This is something that I have noticed with Asian cinema. The film really takes it's non-action moments to develop bonds between characters. I particularly like the relationship between Yan and Inspector Wong. The majority of the death scenes are met with a flashback montage. Each death that occurs leaves you feeling remorse, not a sense of a cool death scene. It's nice to see a heavy heart compared to a heavy body count sometimes.

I've often said that the Asians are making the best films right now. Infernal Affairs is proof positive of this. It's easy to see why Martin Scorsese chose it to remake. It is a perfect blend of action and suspense that is rare for a film of it's kind. If you have seen The Departed, you have essentially seen the movie. Although, there are a few differences that I think make Infernal Affairs a must see.


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