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Cast:
Tony
Leung Chiu Wai
Jacky
Cheung
Waise
Lee
Simon
Yam
Fennie
Yuen
Yolinda
Yam
Lam
Chung
Action:
Lau
Chi Ho
Kuo
Chui
Bruce
Law
Producer:
John
Woo
Director:
John
Woo
Score:
 
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BULLET
IN THE HEAD
AKA:
Bloodshed In The Streets
Year:
1990 Reviewer: Pat
King
When
John Woo originally wrote the story for 'A
Better Tomorrow 3', it would be a prequel that tells the
story of how Mark Gor and Ho made their fortune to start their
business. However Woo and producer Tsui Hark went their
separate ways and Tsui made his own version of 'A Better
Tomorrow 3'. Woo's story sequentially had alterations made to
it and would become 'Bullet in the Head'.
Three
friends growing up in the back streets of Hong Kong have
aspirations to become successful and make better their lives.
On the wedding night of Ah Bee (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and Jan (Fennie
Yuen), they don't have enough money to pay the costs. Ah Fei
(Jacky Cheung) obtains the
money but is attacked by local gangster Fei Keung.
Frank manages to fend off the attack still clutching the money
but not without sustaining a head injury. After the
celebrations have ceased Ben interrogates Frank about the
injury, and on discovering the cause the pair launch an attack
on Fei Keung. However they go too far an end up killing Fei
Keung. Now wanted by the police, gangsters and loan sharks
alike, they are left with no alternative but to flee Hong
Kong. They decide to take this opportunity to make their
fortune by selling pain killing drugs in war torn Vietnam and
bring the third member of their trio Ah Wing (Waise Lee) along
to share in their success. Their priorities change however
when they recognise Yan Sau Ching (Yolinda Yam), a Hong Kong
singer whom is forced to work for the local gang lord Leung
Yuen Sing (Lam Chung). They then team up with Ah Lok (Simon
Yam) in an
attempt to rescue her, though Wei's priorities remain
firm and is unwilling to leave without Leung's gold. After Yan
dies of a gun shot wound sustained in the rescue, Bee, Fei and
Wing stray into North Vietnamese territory and find themselves
in a POW camp. Our protagonists must now battle for survival.
'Bullet
in the Head' was a very expensive and ambitious project for
the Hong Kong film industry at the time. Sadly it failed to
make an impact at the box office as the public rejected a film
with such a downbeat sensibility, especially in the wake of
the Tiananmen Square Crackdown, an event which would influence
Woo in his execution of the film. A great shame as this very
personal project is one of Woo's finest moments.
One
could speculate if Chow Yun Fat had been in the cast (as was
intended when it was originally written), as to whether his
presence would have coaxed enough punters
to see the film in order to re-coup the money spent.
However, Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Jacky Cheung were hired and
at the time neither were known for dramatic roles, as Tony had
done mainly comedies and Jacky was known primarily for his
singing career. 'Bullet in the Head' would prove to be the
film to make them both bankable dramatic actors as both take
the bull by the horns and produce some astounding results.
Jacky Cheung received a well deserved nomination for best
actor at the Hong Kong film awards for his efforts. Tony would
of course go on to be one of the most respected actors of the
last 15 years. Simon Yam was also just beginning to come into
his own as he delivers a delightfully measured, mature and,
above all, cool performance.
Taking
our protagonists from small time street punk antics to street
riots, taking on an organised crime syndicate and
inadvertently playing their own little part in a brutal war as
they find themselves in a POW camp, 'Bullet in the Head'
certainly takes it's audience on a journey. As the film nears
it's end you are likely to feel emotionally drained as you
will feel as if you have experienced the ordeal along with our
protagonists. Woo gives us a tale of brotherhood, loyalty,
tragedy, redemption, greed, corruption and betrayal. At times
harrowing, 'Bullet in the Head' is equally compelling. No John
Woo picture of the period would be complete without lavish gun
battles, and 'Bullet in the Head' is no exception. Although we
are not subjected to anything as outlandish as was displayed
in 'The
Killer' one year earlier. This would have much to do with
the poignant and almost depressing subject matter. Though what
we are left with still leave most standing idle. Throw in a
superb soundtrack and you have an all time classic in the
making.
I
have one major criticism however. The original boardroom
ending was replaced after being deemed too bleak. This was
then replaced with an all action car chase ending. While there
is nothing inherently wrong with the sequence itself, it is
unsuited to finish this particular film. This film was meant
to have a sudden, hard hitting ending. One that would resonate
in the minds of the audience long after they had left the
theatre. What we are left with is a drawn out action sequence
that allows the emotion that has built up during the course of
the film to dissipate before the end credits roll. The
original negatives for the boardroom ending unfortunately seem
to be lost and the only known version with this ending is the
now deleted Mei Ah VCD. Therefore the chances of it being
re-instated seem highly improbable.
Despite
my criticism about the final sequence, 'Bullet in the Head'
still packs an enormous emotional punch and is very much one
of the all time classics of Hong Kong cinema. A must have for
any serious collector.
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