Short Take: Election

May 29th, 2008 | By Rick | Category: Short Take

Election (2005)

Director: Johnny To;
Cinematograper: Siu-keung Cheng;
Editor: Patrick Tam

Note: this is a new feature here at the Creek, covering films I love but don’t have time (or I’m just too lazy) to write about in a full-length review.

This predecessor to 2006’s Triad Election (which I reviewed here) chronicles the rise to power of Lam Lok, the chairman of the Wo Sing Triad. It stars the remarkable Simon Yam (above) as Lok and Tony Leung Ka Fai (not the better-known Tony Leung Chiu Wai) as his chief rival Big D. As the film opens, the “uncles” — the crime family’s ruling elders — are squabbling amongst themselves over who will become chariman. After Lok is elected, Big D refuses to accept it, threatening a gang war among opposing factions within the clan. To’s direction is fleet and sure-footed, and the action set-pieces, though simply staged, generate a tremendous amount of tension. There is a lyrical quality to To’s camera; it rarely ceases to move, and the shots can be long and lingering by current Hollywood standards. The acting is very good, especially Yam and Leung, who invests Big D with a dangerous, lunatic menace. All in all, an entertaining gangster flick.

(Many of To’s films are on Netflix; there’s no excuse for not checking him out!)