Triple-threat Wong Jing wrote, produced and directed
this hit triad drama. A True Mob Story deals with the trials of a
low-level triad boss named Cheung Dee (Andy Lau) as
he finds himself double-crossed by those he trusts and
hunted by those he’s hurt. Years ago, Cheung Dee saved
boss Prince (Mark Cheng) from evil triad Crazy Ball
(a vicious Ben Ng). The act of heroism won him fame
and a territory. Sadly, the years since have not been
kind, as he’s become a bit of a joke. Dee is now near-spineless,
kowtowing to his bosses and taking credit where it isn’t
deserved.
Despite all this, he’s cared
for by his long-suffering friend Ruby (Suki Kwan), who
has held a torch for him since his wife died in the
same fight that earned Dee his fame. Her affection for
Dee is probably the most compelling relationship in
the movie, but it’s downplayed as soon as Gigi Leung
enters as his lawyer Sandy. She has faith in Dee, believing
he’s a good guy despite his triad lifestyle.
It turns out that Dee is a good guy - an example of the righteous triad glorified
in movies like A Better Tomorrow. Unfortunately,
Wong Jing’s triad underworld is not the one popularized
in movies like Young and Dangerous. Dee’s spinelessness
comes from the fact that his brand of righteousness
is ineffective in the underworld - he becomes everyone’s
patsy and whipping boy. It isn’t until Dee takes a stand
and fights back that he regains his self-respect.
This is a commercial story
with some dark subtext. Wong Jing has managed
to take his usual cloying themes and give them some
weight. Helping things is Andy Lau, who turns in one
of his best performances ever. He sometimes recalls
his more smarmy and annoying characters, but he adds
depth behind the buffoonish facade. Suki Kwan is
impressive as Ruby, and the usual gang of triad supporting
players (Mark Cheng and Ben Ng) are effectively sinister.
The
film falters in the subplot of lawyer Sandy, who is
possibly the most unrealistic character ever seen in
an HK film. It’s mind-boggling to believe she would
give up everything for Dee, but she does - and willingly.
Sandy is Wong Jing’s deux ex machina, and she’s
played with wooden flair by the typically wooden Gigi
Leung. At least the film doesn’t compromise,
giving us a moral among this battlefield of moral ambiguity:
It doesn’t pay to be a wise guy - even if you’re a good
one.
It would be better if that message were more apparent,
but you’re torn between rooting for Dee and wondering
how a weasel like him can get off (despite his righteousness,
he’s a pretty average triad). Wong Jing mixes his messages
and leaves us wondering what the hell he’s talking about.
However, the film is excellent entertainment. Wong Jing
and Andy Lau have given us a dark, turbulent and possibly
unsatisfying ride, but one that is definitely worth
taking. (Kozo 1998) |
