Infernal Affairs

Hong Kong 2002, 97 minutes
Dir. Wai Keung Lau, Siu Fai Mak
In Cantonese with English subtitles
Rating: [M]
Genres: Foreign Cinema, Action/Adventure, Suspense/Crime / Policier, Gangsters

Feat. Andy Lau, Tony Leung (Chiu-wai), Anthony Wong, Sammi Cheng, Kelly Chen, Eric Tsang

Aroview: This dynamic cops ‘n’ robbers spectacle is populist Hong Kong film-making at its most slick and sophisticated.

Infused with more than a little Yin and Yang, the perfectly symmetrical plot boils down to a battle of wits between a gangster kingpin and a police chief and their respective undercover ‘moles’ – played by the rightfully charismatic Andy Lau and Tony Leung – who are ironically bonded by a desire to lead a normal life. Initially a little tricky (with distracting subtitles) but works a treat once you get a handle on who’s deceiving who...

NZ International Film Festival 2003