SYNOPSIS:
"Cross
Street" is a place for youngsters to hide themselves away
from the reality. After losing one eye in a vengeance, Fei (Alan
Kuo) hides himself at "Cross Street" to reminisce
his mother. Nana (Yeung Oi Kan) is looking for Fei because he
is the only one who can get rid of her nightmare. King (Deep
Ng) loves Nana, but Nana lost all her memories of King. PS (Po
Po) will never leave Fei because only his teardrop can give
her warmth. Can they find what they want in "Cross Street"?
MOVIE REVIEW:
Fate is not to be confused with the similarly titled
Korean 'brotherhood' flick starring Kwon Sang Woo and Song
Seung Heon.
Instead, this "Fate" is the latest Andrew Lau-produced
gritty action flick that makes its way direct to home video.
And like earlier movies that boast his “An Andrew Lau
production” banner, it is shot on a shoestring budget,
and features a cast of relatively unknown newbies from Hong
Kong.
Unfolding under the guise of a fairytale, Fate tells the story
of Nana who is looking for Fei to help relieve the terrible
nightmares she is plagued with. Her search brings her to a
place known as Cross Street, and as the other characters who
guide her along the way would tell you, it is a dark and dangerous
place that you cannot leave once you enter.
But for director Yip Wai Man, probably best known for Portland
Street Blues, Cross Street becomes an allegory for disillusioned
youths who seek refuge from reality and are henceforth forever
trapped in their world of escapism. Mind you, this is not
a pleasant place- Fei finds himself there after losing his
eye in a heated attempt to avenge his mother after she is
arrested trying to smuggle drugs for a triad kingpin.
It is an interesting premise, and at the hands of a better
scriptwriter and director, potential sharp social commentary
at youths who have become victims of many of society’s
ills. But alas, Fate gets muddled up in a love triangle between
Fei, Nana and another girl, PS. Were the characters less one-dimensional,
this love triangle would probably by more engaging. As it
is, however, it is mundane, and the relatively novice actors
do little to help.
Worse still, Fate is severely lacking in the technical department.
The CGI used in conveying a grim Cross Street-scape looks
like a poorer copy of the Pang brothers movie Recycle, and
is immediately discernable by its amateurish quality. Director
Yip also chooses to use jerky handheld shots with even cheaper
CGI for many of Fate’s action scenes, which is plain
annoying.
So here’s a warning to those whose curiosity is piqued
by Andrew Lau’s name on the cover: Fate is not a good
movie. It frustrates with its wasted potential, and infuriates
with its bad production values. Yes, it’s that kind
of movie that after watching it, you just want your one and
half hours of time back.
MOVIE RATING:
 
Review
by Gabriel Chong
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