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Starring
:
Eason
Chan
Shu
Qi
Sam
Lee
James
Wong
Kara
Hui
Wayne
Lai
Producer
:
Ann
Hui
Abe
Kwang
Thomas
Chung
Solon
So
John
Chong
Director
:
Ann
Hui
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VISIBLE
SECRET (2001)
Reviewed
by Rob Daniel
Ann
Hui, the critical darling who has successfully managed to
blend popular and personal filmmaking, returned to the horror
genre for the first time since 'The Spooky Gang' (1980) with
this offbeat, darkly comic romantic chiller.
Indebted
to 'The Sixth Sense' it may be, but 'Visible Secret' eschews
the surreal shocks of current Japanese and Korean horror
cinema, being a more traditional ghost story boasting such
genre favourites as animated headless corpses and deep-voiced
possessions. Bravely,
scriptwriter/producer Abe Kwang keeps the spectres offscreen
for much of the running time, choosing a stately pace that
allows character and a carefully sustained sense of
trepidation to develop.
"Peter"
Wong Choi (Chan) is a talentless hairstylist beset with
financial difficulties and an elderly father suffering from
mental problems. In
to Peter's life comes June (Shu), a whirlwind of unhinged
energy who beds him on the first date and with whom he begins
a touching relationship.
June also insists she can see ghosts through her left
eye, and although initially sceptical, Peter begins to witness
inexplicable cases of possession that hint of a dark secret
close to him.
Hui's
low-key direction is assisted by cinematographer Arthur ('Once
Upon A Time In China', 'New
Dragon Gate Inn') Wong's chilling blue visual style and
the deep reds he uses to suggest the supernatural (again
cribbed from 'The Sixth Sense').
Wong would go onto win a Hong Kong Film Award for his
work here, while the Hong Kong Film Critics Society would also
honour both Hui and the film.
The
unglamorous Chan and the kooky, ever-rising Shu ably carry the
emotion of the film, which traverses a range of genres, from
ghost story through romcom to familial drama.
But, Hui allows ample time for the supporting players
to flesh out their characters, and is rewarded with memorable
turns from Wong and Lee as Peter’s father and best friend
respectively. A
trend in many Hong Kong movies, 'Visible Secret' features an
assortment of star cameos, most notably the irascible Anthony
Wong who gives the film its biggest shock.
The
relaxed pace and focus on social problems (Chan is financially
and professionally a failure) will frustrate audiences
expecting an 'Evil Dead' inspired frightfest or 'Ring'
style thrills, but for those willing to follow horror down
different avenues 'Visible Secret' offers its own surprises.
The central relationship is affecting, and is matched
by finely handled scenes between Peter and his ailing father.
Plus, Hui and Kwang deliver the ghostly goods with a
handful of skilfully handled possession scenes, incorporating
unnerving wirework and inventive digital effects.
Only
a pedestrian resolution of the central mystery and a confused
final twist sour the enjoyment, but 'Visible Secret' is an
old-fashioned suspenser expertly told by a director criminally
under-recognized in the West.
As
a bizarre side-note, 'Visible Secret's advertising campaign, a
ghostly woman (Jo Kuk) riding the subway along with the
principal players, was pulled after it drew complaints from
subway commuters. Taking
the apology too far, a scene featuring the apparition on the
subway was also deleted, robbing the film of an arresting
image that was retained in the teaser and theatrical trailers.
Rating:
 
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