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Starring
:
Louis
Koo
Julian
Cheung
Simon
Yam
Ray
Lui
Ada
Choi
Eric
Moo
Action
:
Philip
Ko
Producer
:
Wong
Sing Lim
Nam
Yin
Director
:
Ringo
Lam
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THE
SUSPECT (1998)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
Ringo
Lam's first experience of Hollywood film-making (there are
more films to come apparently) proved to be an unpleasant one.
With a lack of the artistic freedom he had previously enjoyed,
Lam left Hollywood still thinking that there was something to
prove and perhaps a standard to be once again reached. His
award-winning police thriller 'Full
Alert' is widely seen as that return to the quality
film-making that critics associated with a director of Lam's
undoubted pedigree. It's important to note though, that a year
before 'Full Alert' came this strangely underrated
action-thriller, a film that is every bit as good, but
constantly savaged by local critics.
The
stern attributes of actor Louis Koo are given the suitable
role of Don - a man who is released from an Asian prison after
a 12 year sentence for murder. On leaving, Don is determined
to avoid the criminal lifestyle that forced him into his
previous heinous crime and try to live a fairly normal life.
Normality is certainly not apparent when Don finds a limousine
waiting for him on his exit from prison and a luxury suite at
one of the city's best hotels reserved for him. The morning
after this peculiar event, Don notices a political rally
opposite the hotel that features one of the candidates for the
country's rulership. Then, Don receives a phone call from Max
- an old friend who was the only man who visited him during
his prison term - telling him to kill the said politician with
the rocket-launcher that has been hidden under the bed.
Refusing to do this, Don is surprised to then see the rally
destroyed by a missile explosion fired from across the road;
it seems the dubious mission has been accomplished by someone
else. After leaving the hotel, Don finds that he is the number
one suspect for the assassination and must now avoid capture
by the authorities. This proves to be the least of his
worries, however, when Max receives instructions to kill his
old friend after the obvious lack of loyalty Don showed. The
race is on for the wronged man to clear his name and evade
both sides of the law while also attempting to unravel the
political intrigue he's found himself in the middle of.
Critics
have pointed out that the film has plot-holes that are very
much evident under closer inspection. This may be true to some
extent, but 'The Suspect' does not suffer from this anymore
than other critically appreciated action-thrillers have done.
The flow of the film is not unduly affected by the minor plot
inconsistencies that are under the surface and the whole film
deserves a fairer appraisal than it's been given. The film is
a well-made and intelligent Hong Kong thriller that offers
more than just the typical fugitive storyline; the
racial/political wranglings of the film add to the qualities
inherent within.
Ringo
Lam manages to stretch a smaller-budget and create a film that
also looks as exotic as is intended. The crowd scenes and
large-scale chases are noteworthy examples of this. Lam also
makes a good choice by picking the talented Louis Koo for the
lead role as his handsome, yet tortured screen style is ideal
for the character of Don. Supporting Koo are the Hong Kong's
acting everyman Simon Yam, the equally dependable Ray Liu and
popular Hong Kong actress Ada Choi - all round off 'The
Suspect's strong casting. With a director of Ringo Lam's
calibre at the helm and this cast fleshing out their roles,
it's natural that the tension and excitement levels increase
to an impressive degree until the film's emotional ending.
'The
Suspect' is a highly recommended return to form for Ringo Lam
after his brief stay in Hollywood. For fans of quality
thrillers, this is unlikely to disappoint.
Rating:
 
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