☆ ☆ ☆ ½
Election (2005) – J. To
Director Johnnie
To expertly makes the complex political machinations surrounding a Hong Kong
Triad’s election of a new leader both exciting and dramatic. Although there are
possibly too many characters, some of whom seem to change loyalties between Big
D (the explosive loser; Tony Ka Fai Leung) and Lok (the level-headed winner;
Simon Yam), the overall arc of the narrative is clear. The cops are only helpless onlookers as the
two sides fight it out for the sacred baton that represents the leadership (and
engenders a long chase scene). Despite the frequent punctuations of violence,
the personal drama remains in the forefront, as the Uncles/Brothers defend
their support for one of the two and Big D and Lok negotiate their own uneasy
relationship within the same society. Johnnie
To wisely inserts a number of poetic moments as a sort of respite from the
intensity of the drama at hand. But after an abrupt end, I am wondering where
Election 2 might take us…
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