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Cast:
Andy
Hui
Gigi
Leung
Edmond
Leung
Woody
Chan
Kam
Hoi Yan
Samuel
Leung
Producer:
Jingle
Ma
Patricia
Chong
Director:
Liu
Kim Wa
Score:
  
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MAROONED
AKA:
N/A
Year:
2000 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Honest
cop Tai (Hui), resident of Macau, finds himself confronted
with a rather awkward dilemma when he takes part in a bust
operation on an illegal gambling den. After the ensuing
confrontation that sees the criminals flee, Tai discovers that
one of their number is his own cousin. The contrite cousin
begs Tai to keep the money to pass on to the local crime lord,
Kwuen, otherwise he will undoubtedly be killed. Although the
law enforcer prides himself on his work, he agrees to pay the
money into Kwuen's account to save his cousin's life. Due to
heavy work commitments, Tai asks his loving girlfriend Siu-yu
to go to the bank and deposit the money, a task she happily
does without knowing who the real owner of it is.
Unfortunately, the bank is robbed as the money is about to be
deposited and Siu-yu - and to a greater extent Kwuen - loses
everything. Now Tai is given an ultimatum by Kwuen: find the
money or give up your life within the next few days. With time
ticking away and no hope of escaping Macau, Tai has to
continue his investigations into the robbery while also
keeping the truth away from the people dear to him.
After
the excellent 'Sunshine
Cops' and the hugely enjoyable 'Irresistible
Piggies', I decided to once again look into the work of
relatively under-appreciated director Liu Kim Wa. Though
'Marooned' proves to by another accomplished work by the
film-maker, it's about as different in tone to the other two
as a film can by. While 'Irresistible Piggies' revelled in
exuberance and energy, 'Marooned' is a more laid-back
production that tackles an intriguing premise in a delicate
way. Liu Kim Wa's said execution of the material demonstrates
his strengths and his limitations in the director's chair -
thankfully, though, there are more instances of the former.
The
fairly common move of casting two major recording artists in
the lead roles means that 'Marooned' has a degree of the
screen energy that big-budget productions thrive on. While
Andy Hui and Gigi Leung aren't in the same league as Tony
Leung and Maggie Cheung in terms of charisma and chemistry,
both acquit themselves well to their well-written characters.
The spark between the pair seems to alternate between periods
of complete stagnation and moments when they seem to truly
care for one another's well being; the bond between the pair
improves as the film progresses and the moment when Hui tries
to break off the relationship to protect the woman he loves
can be commended for a pleasing edge of humanity.
Nevertheless, some viewers may feel that the atmosphere lacks
the emotional punch that has often been associated with the
grander works of Hong Kong cinema.
While
'Marooned' is never especially exciting, it is well-paced and
character-driven - a trait that is rewarding for those who
stay the course. Liu Kim Wa is a more than competent director
who, may lack the distinction and control of some of his
peers, but gives the viewer a thriller that is a certainly not
the norm. The breezy Macau locations add a fresh atmosphere to
the overall look of the film; the unusual European-influenced
architecture makes a pleasant change from the city streets of
Hong Kong. 'Marooned' floats along harmlessly for 90
minutes - you could do a lot worse than invest in this.
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