Review of A Better Tomorrow (2010) by Kok Hoong F — 02 Sep 2012

Viewed on 2/10/04 (Sun).

There are three moments in the movie that I cried. It is unbelievable. This is a, at heart, mob movie, you know, that kind which always being accused of glamourising triads.

But that is just the background of John Woo's moving story about an underdog seeking forgiveness, redemption and revenge.

Back to the three moments. First one. Ti Lung's Song Zi Hao meets Chow Yun Fat's Mark after being released from prison. Mark has been reduced to a very sorry state, eating his packet rice at a corner of a carpark. Zi Hao walks up to Mark and says,"This is not what you said in the letter." I choked on my tears already.

Second one. Zi Hao is cornered by his own brother, Leslie's Zi Jie, at the back alley. He insists his older brother on calling him 'Ah Sir' and not by his name. When Zi Jie accuses Zi Hao of going back to secret society, he turns around and brokenheartedly says, "Ah Sir. I have not been a Dai Gor for a long time.".

Third one. Mark asks Zi Jie angrily,"If your brother has the courage to change, why can't you have the courage to accept him?" Well-said! I cried again.

A BETTER TOMORROW remains a very endearing movie to me. The main plot is simple but the performances are top-notch. Any lesser actors will make the drama feel amateurish. If you notice, the development of the story is rather clever. One thing leads to another without feeling forced or incredible. The ending is satisfactory. It somehow strikes everything at the right places. The main audience will like it and the critics will be impressed by the smaller details.

I saw the trailer when I rented John Woo's earlier movie, PLAIN JANE TO THE RESCUE. Thanks goodness, he did not continue to go lower than that but emerges to be one of the best HK directors. Many remember fondly of A BETTER TOMORROW. One female colleague of mine can still remember the touching moments. So did my friend, Alan. It has to be everyone's favourite.

Some trivia. Chow Yun Fat was chosen for the role because he did not look like an action hero. Surprisingly, he established himself successfully as one after this even till this day. Back then, Chow Yun Fat was popular on TV but his movies were flops. Prodcuers were even worried that the casting of Chow Yun Fat would affect the box office returns. Of course, that did not happen and in fact the movie remained as the top box office hit for 7 years!

Rating: A.