Who could anticipate that the
last film Chow Yun-Fat would make in Hong Kong (to date) would be directed by
a man who would become a key player in Milky way Image Productions, a company
responsible for some of the most creative crime films of the late 90's?
Director Wai Ka-Fai's inexperience may peek through at times, but his sense of
visual style is clearly his own (despite inevitable comparisons to Wong
Kar-Wai). The plot, sets, and music borrow elements from classic American
westerns and blend them into something truly unique. Chow Yun-Fat is able to
maintain the peace of his hotel thanks to the legendary status of his own
murderous exploits years before (he is called The Killer). He also has a
standing policy of never evicting any resident. He is faced with the
unenviable task of upholding his standard when the lying and
slimy-yet-beautiful Cecilia Yip disturbs his calm existence. The result is not
a collection of imitation John Woo gun battles (as you might expect) but
rather a stylish dramatic take on manhood in the 20th century.
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