Anyone
who really loves HK Cinema will know the name Johnnie To. From all the way
back in 93 with 'Heroic Trio' up to his most recent film 'Yesterday Once
More' he has created a steady stream of classic movies. Perhaps his most
widely recognised film though, is Running Out Of Time. A cops and
robbers/cat and mouse film with emphasis on story rather than action. To's
slick direction coupled with two great performances by Lau Ching Wan and
Andy Lau (Who won a best actor award for his efforts), has helped to elevate
this film to 'Classic' status.
Andy Lau stars as a terminally ill cancer victim who, with only 14 days left
to live, enters into a deadly game of cat and mouse with an intelligent
police negotiator (played by Lau Ching Wan) after he steals a diamond. But
is there more to Lau's simple criminal than it seems?
The first thing is this is a very clever little movie, it isn't however (as
I personally find most movies of this type), overdone. Everything has the
right balance. It has some action which is exciting but not unrealistic.
There are a few times where director, To uses a change of camera speed to
create visual impact but this fits with the movie. A notable scene would be
where Andy is standing on the roof top at the beginning, you can hear a
clock ticking and the camera speeds up and slows down to the rhythm of the
clock. This has a point, as Andy is literally 'Running Out Of Time.' Also,
nothing is over played. The movie is very subtle and tells the story in a
clever way without becoming overbearing or too melodramatic. It is a sad
story and it's to the credit of the director and both actors that you
actually can feel for the characters.
The acting can be summed up in a single word. Perfect. Lau Ching Wan is as
charismatic as ever in the role of the police negotiator who just wants to
get his man. Many people would have played this as a hard as nails role but
it's to his credit that the character is full of humanity and even one or
two flaws. He wants to do too much, needs to catch every single criminal out
there and this can be a little hard on his co-workers. Andy Lau probably
gives his most subtle and character driven performance yet. There's a quiet
sadness about his character and you really feel for him and want him to
succeed. It's no surprise he won his first 'Best Actor' award for this role
and the only performance he has given that has eclipsed this would possibly
be in 'Infernal Affairs'. Ruby Wong shows up in a cameo and is her usual
wonderful self and her dialogue is very good and even occasionally funny.
The only weak link I would have to say would be in the main villain, Waise
Lee. His performance is far from menacing and his character is not given
enough screen time to really be developed.
Like I was saying before the movie is both subtle and clever. Many themes
which run as an undercurrent will not be obvious at first glance. For
instance, the theme that both Andy and Lau Ching Wans' characters may be
gay! In one part Ruby Wong's character says to Lau Ching Wan... 'You know
you're not married, you don't fool around ... you know many people say
you're gay!" To which he doesn't give a reply and instead quickly changes
the subject. And although Andy does have a female come into his life in the
shape of a girl (Yoyo Mung) he meets on a bus in one of his daring escapes
there is never much romantic interest applied, particularly on Andy's part.
Also the question of why he chose Lau Ching Wan's police inspector over any
other is never answered. It really does make you wonder when you see Andy's
desk at home is covered with past and present pictures of the Police
Officer. Johnnie To is notorious for including these plots within plots and
it really does add to the movie. Indeed, many of you who have already seen
the movie will still not have picked up this and other little touches the
director has added and I have only done so myself by watching the movie
countless time and also reading and watching interviews with Johnnie To
about this film. Needless to say if you decide to watch this movie you will
get a lot more characterisation and plot than you probably expect.
By the end of the movie most things are explained and even if the events of
the film are a little sad I promise you'll be left with a smile on your
face. Try to watch the film without knowing too much about the plot and
you'll find it more enjoyable.
Strictly action fans may want to give this a miss as the action contained
here is minimal. To those people the movie may seem a little slow or maybe
even boring. If you like a good story and excellent direction though, You
will find it here.
Although Johnnie To's recent films may not quite match some of his late 90's
ones he is still one of the greatest directors working in Hong Kong and
Running Out Of Time is balanced wonderfully.
This was a movie that at the time of release was fresh, clever, well
scripted, acted and directed. Some of the edge may have been taken from it
for those who have now seen movies like 'Infernal Affairs' as it shares some
similar themes. It does however, remain one of my favourite Hong Kong films
to this day and you'll be hard pressed to find a more classic modern day
thriller from HK or anywhere.
