The Longest Nite

Pic probably tops all Hongkong films in presenting triad warfare intrigue, and the horror and intricacy of a well-oiled set-up. The scripter and director weave a clever interlocking plot complete with tense and heart-stopping atmospherics. Tony Leung's bad cop performance is a class on its own, particularly when he finds out that he's been set up and is now in an untenable situation. But pic's originality is in the end let down by the final shoot out in a dilapidated warehouse, which is both shop-worn and pretentious.

It is violent, gritty, bloody a bit confused too, not really easy to follow. Produced by Johnny To, we then understand easily that stuff is not lousy. Macao by night, helped by the Giorgio Moroder's and Nino Rota - GODFATHER's music - score, where it is question of gang wars, triads, and when a borderline rotten cop is on the loose too, expect action, torture, in this fast paced and never boring Asian crime film. The quality of this feature can't be denied and I think it deserves a better release. It is short, not as long as Korean crime movies for instance, but the atmosphere is very close and far from Hollywood clichés. Unlike some Asian films that I have seen recently.

Tony Leung Chiu Wai is cast against type as the corrupt and violent Police officer in this Noir thriller. He gives his most deepest and powerful performance since playing the mentally tough protagonist of John Woo's Bullet in the Head(1990). In the tradition of the pessemistic noir pictures of the 1940s. A complex and thrilling story with surprising plot twists. Mixture of Martin Scorsese, Fernando Di Leo, John Woo, and Takeshi Kitano.

Another fabulous movie from Patrick Yau with his tight and taut direction. Has Patrick Yau done anything recent as it seems he hasn't done anything since Expect the Unexpected(1998). The most talented director from Hong Kong of the late 1990s. Involved in the production was Johnny To who is known for his dark and grim action and crime thrillers. The sequence in the warehouse is stunning.

Ching Wah Lau is terrific as the cool and enigmatic stranger. The whole gangster poltics in the movie echos the ideas of Martin Scorsese's mob flicks and Fernando Di Leo's Italian Crime movies especially Il Boss/The Boss(1973). The gunbattle between Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Ching Wah Lau reminds me of the best of John Woo. The final scene reminds me a lot of the final sequence from the Takeshi Kitano movie, Violent Cop(1989). The Longest Nite(1997) is more closer in tone to Takeshi Kitano than John Woo.

Of all the great Johnny To / Lau Ching Wan collaborations this is my favourite. Reason: Patrick Yau directs and Tony Leung Chiu Wai co-stars with a performance that gives many academy award winners a run for the money. Think of "The Usual Suspects" set in Macao and you get an impression of the tense atmosphere in this film. It's a violent world where nobody can be sure to survive the next day. Although Leung's character is quite clever and unscrupulous for a cop he's just not clever enough for the intricate set-up that he is pushed into by a mysterious man in the background. The plot-twist at the end is even more surprising IMO than the end of "Expect The Unexpected", Yau's other great film.

A must see for all fans of hardboiled crime stories (and for all people with good eyes, because the Milkyway- subtitles are tiny!)

Two Triad Leaders, Mr. K and Mr. Lung, control the underground of Macau .. The Old Triad Lord, Mr. Hung, is upset he's been left out .. He orders for both groups to pay dues but instead , they decide to join forces to maximize business ..

Overnight , a rumor spreads Mr. K has ordered a hit on Mr. Lung for over 50 grand .. Negotiators from both sides have 24 hours to get to the bottom of this before things get ugly ..... Simultaneously a mysterious character arrives in town and is stirring up trouble everywhere he goes ..