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Cast:
Anita
Mui
Junna
Risa
Simon
Yam
Shaun
Tam
Producer:
Jacob
Cheung
Director:
Jacob
Cheung
Score:
  
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MIDNIGHT
FLY
AKA:
N/A
Year:
2001 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
It's
well documented that Hong Kong cinema (and indeed Eastern
films in general) has the ability to create hybrid productions
which combine seemingly incongruous genres. Many novice
viewers find themselves drawn into one of the said films in
one way only to be shocked by a sudden turn of direction that
could not be predicted. Jacob Cheung's 'Midnight Fly' is very
much in this bracket, starting out as an interesting drama
only to revert to a tension-filled thriller after the halfway
mark. The results of this unpredictable blend are as mixed as
the parts which comprise it.
After
discovering her husband's infidelity, Michelle (Mui) travels
to Europe in a bid to compose her thoughts and plan her next
move in this strained marriage. On her tour coach she meets a
Japanese model, Miki, who has also undertaken a journey to
come to terms with a personal conflict. As two eastern
strangers in France, Michelle and Miki become friends and by
the end of the tour they decide to extend their holiday by
travelling to Morocco. While in this exotic land the pair
begin to pour their hearts to each other; Michelle reveals her
anguish and Miki talks about her involvement with a married
man. These private problems become inter-mingled when Michelle
realises that it is her unfaithful husband who Miki is seeing.
Naturally angered by this coincidence, Michelle scares Miki
off and the Japanese tourist disappears into urban Morocco. A
scared stranger in this confusing environment, Miki is
kidnapped by a modern slave-trader who hands her over to his
ruthless boss. Meanwhile Michelle, tinged by guilt, searches
for her friend, but to no avail. When the police and even her
husband give up on finding the victim alive, Michelle takes it
upon herself to find out the truth. Aided by a Chinese worker
who is familiar with the culture and landscape, her
determination throws her straight into the middle of the ugly
fate of Miki.
Definitely
a film of two halves, 'Midnight Fly' is a brave,
uncompromising, yet not always successful Jacob Cheung
feature. As the storyline begins the viewer gets the sense of
impending doom that eventually takes over; an eerie atmosphere
produced from pleasant scenery ever so slightly distorted by skilful
direction. When the first twist - the revelation
about Miki's identity - comes to light, the viewer finds
themselves knocked back by an incredulous coincidence that
undermines any strength that had been attained. Miki starts as
hardly sympathetic and this plot device only re-enforces this
fact. Jacob Cheung then switches the focus to a far more
sinister narrative and then 'Midnight Fly' claws back the
attention. Overall the lack of proper cohesion and obvious
implausities doesn't endear this to viewers, but this is a
production with enough quality to make up for it. Anita Mui
gives another superlative showing. As the injured party turned
amateur detective; asked to cope with a range of traumatic
events, Mui accepts the challenge gladly. Opposite her, Junna
Risa starts uncomfortably with the English dialogue and
difficult role, but by the end she turns in a memorable
performance. Although there are a number of other actors in
'Midnight Fly', the film belongs solely to its excellent lead
actresses. The hypnotic Moroccan setting is a major bonus on
top of this strength.
For
all its genuine intrigue, 'Midnight Fly' proves to be easier
to admire than to enthuse about. Therefore it rightfully earns
3 and half stars and a good recommendation, but it may not be
a film that demands repeat viewings.
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