Nightfall

I saw the first 75% of this movie in a flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong. 25% was missed because I started watching a bit too late. I just watched it now and completed the film. "Nightfall" is a good drama / thriller which can be tightened. The plot and the atmosphere are first-rate. The editing and the overall storytelling, though, fall short. I watched it with this fluctuating feelings of high and low. Some parts are so gripping I can't take my eyes off. Some parts are so visually cut off of the rest of the film. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a case of walkout, and the walker would be definitely at a loss. The Simon Yam character is believable as a seasoned but sometimes weary-of-life police officer. His emotional final scene, with him receiving a phone message from the dead, is a good sum-up of the entire film. The Eugene Wang character, though, while physically convincing in every way, misses some good opportunities to give the film its deserving depth. I would have contrasted his hard face all through the film with the other serene and fulfilled one on his way down, as he has fulfilled every obligation as a man and a father. HIs slow-motion fall should have revealed to us an immeasurable love of a parent to his or her child. It will suit well with the girl's innocent question to the inspector: who is this man protector of mine? Anyway, this film will not fail to entertain you. Just like me: try asking all these silly questions after the end.

(2012) Nightfall (In Chinese with English subtitles) CRIME THRILLER/ MYSTERY

Co-written and directed by Chow Hin Yeung Roy starring Simon Yam as homicide detective George Lam investigating a dead body found in the ocean near some rocks. Because it was so disfigured, they had to use DNA to uncover his identity. And as it turns out, he's supposed to be this wealthy architecture, a father of twin daughters named Han Tsui (Michael Wong) who apparently send this guy named Wong Yuen-yeung (Nick Cheng) in prison for the murder of one of his daughters. Except that not everything is what it appears to be, as more revelations are uncovered. This movie is extremely predictable, awful, overrated, and overacted. Some of the existing problems is the wife never report the husband missing, nor was there a proper burial of him either. And the fact if DNA was able to find the identity, how come it wasn't used during the killing of the daughter! And since when can someone assault a police officer without being charged? I guess in Hong Kong which is where the movie was made, citizens can assault policemen whenever they want. It is these questions and more this film is lousy movie. This movie is 'all style, no substance'

It belongs to Zhang Jiahui's one-man performance. In his deep calm eyes, how many feelings are condensed in it. After the intense fragments at the beginning of the film, the plot followed with a slightly protracted rhythm. Although the lenses are changed to increase the depth of the content, the overall plot is slightly pale. I have to say that the actors in Hong Kong are really good.

Script is kind of ok, but directing is quite bad, that makes the movie boring and lacking of intensity. Except for Michael wong's good performance, the rest of the cast performed quite badly and unpolished, where they are stiff and lack of emotions. The silly dialogues are like book reading instead of actual conversation, which makes the movie unconvincing and damages the viewing experience. However there's one good thing about the movie, that shows how negligent and unethical the hk police are, trying to sue and pin the crimes to innocent people, which is why the become the city's most hated.

Poignant and intelligent thriller. A little over acted but great storyline and some haunting scenes. The "explanation" at the end was a little over the top but I can live with it.

Certainly way better than the average Hollywood fodder. That said I have no doubt it will be remade by some lazy Hollywood studio.