Genre:
Drama Director: Derek Yee Cast: Andy Lau, Louis Koo, Daniel Wu, Anita
Yuen, Zhang Jingchu, Derek Yee RunTime: 1 hr 51 mins Released By: GVP Rating: NC-16 (Some Drug Content)
Opening
Day: 15 February 2007
Synopsis
:
The story revolves around drug trafficking with Andy
Lau as the major heroin dealer, grooming his successor, Daniel
Wu, to take over the business. The film, financed by England,
US, China, Hong Kong and Singapore is produced by Peter Chan.
Movie
Review:
Despite the film’s obvious allusions to the
“Infernal Affairs” trilogy, “Protégé”
does stand on its own merit for the most part. The blurred
lines of good and bad are still fuzzy and Andy Lau is still
the charming rogue. But even with an overwrought and overstated
script, “Protégé” has its fair share
of grandstanding that still ends up being fun and I dare say,
quite astute. There’s no ambiguity surrounding the film’s
overarching message. It does not take both sides eventually,
something that plagues many crime dramas when they succumb
to wanton idolisation of crime syndicates and drug cartels.
If writer-director, Derek Yee’s sleeve is read correctly,
his stance is simple and non-negotiable – drug trafficking
is evil.
As
one of Asia’s most bankable leads, Andy Lau adds another
notch to his mantle following “Battle of Wits”.
A strong performance as an aging drug lord in “Protégé”
follows his turn as a Mozi warrior. Despite being a starring
vehicle for young gun Daniel Wu, Andy Lau’s presence
is a prime factor in the duo’s key scenes together as
teacher and protégé. The narrative is uncomplicated
(but proceeds with an in media res beginning), as it introduces
to us a victim of the heroin (the drug of choice in this film)
industry, Jane (Zhang Jing Chu) who feeds into the vein of
apparent determinism regarding the rampant use of drugs amongst
the poverty stricken, perpetuating a cycle that is as senseless
as it is damning. Indeed, “Protégé”
tentatively inquires early on if the slight distraction of
drug use is worse than the emptiness and constant temptations
felt by those living in the grimy shadows of society’s
margins.
Further
amplifying the resemblance to “Infernal Affairs”,
Wu plays an undercover agent, Nick who’s 8 years deep
into his role as a high-ranking member of one of Hong Kong’s
top drug cartels and next in line to take over from the ill
Kwan (Lau). Expectedly, this quandary is one Nick can’t
seem to get out off considering the relationships he has built
and the uncertainty that awaits him after his sojourn with
the evident enemy. In truth, Nick’s instrumental in
the organisation’s continued reign, which just further
adds on to the guilt he’s not ready to face. Thrown
in the mix is Nick’s burgeoning relationship with Jane
that through a warped sense of morality begins to change their
attitudes towards the narcotics their lives have become entrenched
in. And despite the strong ancillary cast that also includes
Louis Koo and Anita Yuen, they feature in inflated means-to-an-end
cameos that are satisfactory but never really make an impression.
But the core cast of Lau, Wu and Zhang hold strong throughout
the film.
The
film takes noticeable pride in elucidating the progression
of drug trafficking from its very bottom rung to the middlemen
and finally to the benefits of the higher echelons. There
are trips through Thailand’s poppy fields all the way
to the network of mules and the distribution network it utilises
to ensnare potential addicts. Therein lies a relatively comprehensive
exposé on drug production that does not feel antiseptic
and alienating. There’s no denying that Yee’s
research does play a strong and influential part in the film’s
overall success.
Movie
Rating:
(A strong entry into the crowded HK crime genre that’s
engaging and sympathetic)
