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THE
CASE OF THE COLD FISH
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1995 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
The
close and introverted island community of Tai-O is shaken by
the death of one of its least popular residents. Although
everyone happily admits their hatred of dead real estate agent
Simon, no real suspects are found until a drunken man admits
to fighting with him the previous night. The obnoxious drunk
is taken back to the sleepy police station and given a very
loose interrogation by local policemen Dicky (Chow) and Keanu
Reeves(?!), culminating in a punch in the stomach for the
suspect. When the drunk sobers up he reveals himself to be
none other than SDU officer Michael (Wong) and then sets bout
disciplining the lacklustre police work he has become a victim
of. With a joint investigation demanded by the superiors in
Hong Kong, Dicky is forced to accept Michael as his superior
and help out in the murder inquiry. The two very different
methods of police work are immediately in conflict when
Michael bulldozes his way into the job and upsets most of the
locals in the process. The two extremes soon discover that the
only way to find the killer is to reconcile their opposing
methods, especially Michael who must adapt to the laid-back
island life.
The
term 'low-key' was perhaps invented for this enjoyable and
slightly off-beat comedy/thriller. The concentration is mainly
on the unusual pot-pourri of quirky characters headed by Dicky
and the gloriously named Keanu Reeves. These two parts give
excellent opportunities for two of Hong Kong's traditional
bit-part players - Michael Chow and Shing Fui On - to enjoy
rare spot int the limelight. Michael Wong also seems to relish
playing a very familiar character who is transported to a
context that makes a mockery of his methods; Wong is given a
chance at self-depreciation that will be welcomed by many.
'The
Case Of The Cold Fish' is not without its significant
downfalls though, but given the modest targets aimed for, this
can be better appreciated. The pace is a bit too languid at
times with an unnecessary lack of focus near the middle of the
film. This lack of directorial control is a problem that
upsets the balance and effects the overall quality of the
film. Nonetheless, as long as the potential viewer doesn't
view this as a hidden masterpiece, this is a fairly
undemanding diversion.
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