The odd one dies

Takes a couple of repeat viewings to really know what's going on, but this movie grows on you each time. A movie of character studies, without drum roll or fanfare, about characters who we expect to care less about in the beginning. Unpretentious and non self-conscious. Films this quiet and moving are rare. Hilarious if you are observant and paying attention to all the small moments. The main loser is played by Takeshi Kaneshiro, whom few expect to be a character actor. However, he couldn't be more natural. Every still moment, deep breath he takes, contemplative smoke, showed his incredible depth and range. It takes you by surprise because few character actors look this good. The dialog is well written and excellently sparse. The actress loser Carmen Lee was excellent though seemed more scripted than Kaneshiro, but they had some excellent interactive moments. Highly recommended for film viewers of any nationality, though Hong Kong is displayed in a much more narcissistic and seedy way than usual. This is a film about high self-esteem, the change in life that can come about even for a loser, if he had enough integrity and belief in himself.

This is actor/director Patrick Yau's first film to direct, and it is surprisingly good. He is certainly one of the most interesting and innovative action directors working in Hong Kong during the past few years. If you like this one, check out his other two films: Expect the Unexpected, and The Longest Night. In this movie (The Odd One Dies), Takeshi Kaneshiro is at his grungiest best as a lowlevel street punk with a real bad gambling habit, and a tendency to get the crap beat out of him by those higher up on the food chain. To raise some much-needed money, he accepts a $12,000 contract to kill someone. The night before the hit, he takes his deposit money and plays like a high roller in a game of blackjack, which he eventually wins big in. Because of the type of person he is "working" for, he is committed to do the job or die trying, so he decides to hire another hit man to do the job for him. The killer he ends up hiring is a woman, and she seems to be in worse shape than him (as far as being a general lowlife loser goes). He tries to help her out, and they end up getting romantically involved on the side. In the process of all this, he stumbles upon an understanding of the meanings of life and mercy, and more or less cures himself of his sociopathic mindset by becoming a sympathetic person toward those around him. This results in a major change in their attitudes, in that those same people (both bad ones and good ones) begin to like him instead of wanting to kill or kick him around. But there isn't too much moralizing. This is a great offbeat action-drama, and worth a repeat viewing. Even the music soundtrack features some pretty good light jazz/rock. I've enjoyed Takeshi Kaneshiro's work in other movies, but this is the first one that made me realize what a really good actor he is.

This is not an action movie. It is an entertaining character study of small time streetgangsters and for those of you who likes to watch something different than the ordinary, something romantic yet violent and who appreciates that all people are not like everyone else, I strongly recommend The Odd One Dies. The story is simple, in a good way, and easy to follow. The dialogue is very good and when Takeshi Kaneshiro does not speak it is often even better (you will understand me when you see the movie). Lead actors T Kaneshiro and Carman Lee are outstanding. In my opinion this is a better movie than the much hailed Expect the Unexpected (see my review) from the same talented director, and even though his The Longest Nite is more violent I find The Odd One Dies superior to that one too, with a more engaging and clearer story and characters to really care about. I found the movie involving from start to finish. Thankfully, there is no childish Hong Kong humor in this movie but it will still have you laughing in a couple of places. And yes, you will see some bloodsquibs too. 9/10

Part of the new wave of Hong Kong productions, very modern and unique.

Takeshi Kaneshiro's best movie persona is that of the lovable loser. (e.g., ANNA MAGDALENA, CHUNGKING EXPRESS) He begins the movie as a completely hopeless and messed up loner who's foolish enough to be beaten and thrown out of a bar, and then goes back in for more beating. You just want to give him a hug.

Carman Lee is the same sort, looking bruised and makeup-less throughout most of the movie, but still beautiful. She needs a hug, too. Doesn't take a genius to figure out that these two orphan-like people end up clinging to each other.

The ending is heart-rending - so much is told without words. It had me clutching my chest with both my hands.

Also, the music is great. Xylophones reminiscent of TWIN PEAKS, and a wacky samba beat is played over a tragi-comic scene in which a gang desperately scrambles to find ice to put their boss's severed fingers in. It's just absolutely cool.

Some violent scenes (aforementioned beating, creative finger-slicing) and a lot of character-building with visual elements. Pre-coital grooming rituals include clipping their nails, and the lovers try on each other's clothes and give each other bad haircuts. Yup, it's that sort of a movie.

I saw this movie at last year's Fant-Asia film festival in Montreal and it was easily one of the most enjoyable films of the festival.

I had seen Takeshi Kaneshiro in other films (Chungking Express,Dr. Wai and the Scripture Without Words, etc.) but this is the film that turned me into a true fan. If you don't know this man's work, you should.