Review of Infernal Affairs (2002) by Timm S — 27 Nov 2010

Finally, something fresh injected into the cop movie! This was made in 2002 so it's not exactly new, but we takes what we can gets. 'Infernal Affairs' discards all - well, most - of the cliches. Absent are the car chases, ultraviolent shootouts, profanity-peppered standoffs, hardass sergeants, recovering alcoholics, and basically everything we're used to seeing in American movies over & over. What we get is a complex, fast-moving morality tale with a policeman in deep cover of a mob organization while a mob member is a mole within the police department. This setup is niftily detailed in a lightning-fast montage before the main titles. Don't stop for a breather there though, for this film requires audience attention. Not all actions are explained in black & white, I had to piece together two or three shots at a a time to conclude, "Oh, so THAT'S what he's up to!" That makes for a more involving experience, although I still haven't quite figured out a couple seeming lapses in logic.

The moles have been undercover for so long that their personalities have changed. The cop-turned-crook is having headaches and sees a shrink, while the crook-turned-cop begins to see the errors of his ways. It's a fascinating examination, and I had to remind myself of who was on who's side throughout. The events that transpire and deaths that occur really resonate as there is an emotional involvement with the characters. I haven't seen Scorsese's remake, and now I don't feel I really need to.