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A story between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop. Their objectives are the same: to find out who is the mole, and who is the cop.
Andy Lau: Inspector Lau Kin Ming
Tony Leung Chiu Wai: Chan Wing Yan
Mou gaan dou translating into English as Infernal Affairs(2002) propels forth to audiences the story of two top police cadets who take to or are driven to following parallel lives.
The Academy Award-winning The Departed(2006) by Martin Scorsese was also inspired by this movie which also shows how important and great Infernal Affairs is as a film and form of storytelling.
Inspector Lau (House of Flying Daggers) is recruited by a Mob leader Sam (Eric Tsang) to infiltrate the police force and act as a mole. Meanwhile, Yan (Lust, Caution) appears to have been kicked out of police academy; But the truth is he has been secretly been recruited to act as a mole in Sam's gang. Suddenly both come under pressure as both parties suspects a mole in their midst, but can the pair keep themselves under cover?
Tony Leung; ragged and feral is a stark contrast to his adversary, played capably by Andy Lau, whom traverses dangerous ground as a Triad packaged into a charming and talented detective. Eric Tsang and Anthony Wong both turn in performances that buttress the theme of dichotomy as two weathered veterans, engaged in a human chess match with the lives of their protégées at stake.
It's clear from watching internal Affairs that Martin Scorsese's remake The Departed is a tribute as well as re-imagining of the story written by Alan Mak & Felix Chong. I admit this film seems to emphasize depth, originality rather than just relying solely on great performances and gangster themes.
Directors Wai-keung Lau, Siu Fai Mak were upset with Scorsese for imitating their vision and film effort yet I personally feel Scorsese was honouring and giving Infernal Affairs a nod of respect, not to mention appreciation by creating The Departed.
''Remember this, if you see someone doing something but at the same time watching you... then he is a cop.''
The sum of all parts combining the efforts of the main stars, the talented directors and writers and you see the result; An underlying plot and script that oozes perfection and originality hand in hand. There is a dramatic resonance and adrenaline pumping intensity that keeps the thrill and chase compelling to view everytime. Action scenes weren't innovative or over done, but neatly edited for continuity and entertaining thrills.
Numerous helpings of subtext, emotion, roller coaster rides and beautiful scenery all instantly come to mind.
Infernal Affairs was the highest grossing movie in Hong Kong, which is not bad for an industry that is suffering from imports to HK. It deserves awards, on the basis that it is one of the best movies to combine entertainment with a twisted compelling story that never refrains from pulling punches upon our synapses.
''Do all undercover cops like rooftops?''
The most important aspect of this film; The notion that the two leads are reflections of each other, that every man has a capacity for versions of good and evil, that scenarios of justice and morality, have no respective answers is not a new concept. But here, it is treated in a manner that is neither stale nor heavy handed. The two lead characters are as connected as they are opposed, something which is explored here to a greater degree here than in the Scorsese version.
Although The Departed borrows so much from this, it at times does not achieve the level of cohesion or the richness of connection between its characters. That's not to say that Scorsese's film is a better or worse, it's an entertaining thrilling film in it's own right with viable themes. And though this came first, the Westernized version is still worth watching even if only for the star powered cast, for a taste of Scorsese's signature gangster lean, or for Alec Baldwin's scene stealing banter. After reading so many things to do with this, it's clear that some of the credit for its warm reception is due to the film being set in the city of Boston. But for whatever reason, this story just seems more at home in the alternately murky and glowing streets of Hong Kong.
Infernal Affairs is hands down a phenomenal classic due to its excellent story, terrific supporting cast and a cohesion of compelling twists and turns.
All these make it both an enjoyable espionage film experience and a masterpiece in cinematic excellence for years to follow and indeed come.
''What thousands must die, so that Caesar may become the great.''
10/10
