Starring: Luke Evans, Sung Kang, Lun-Mei Gwei, Wyatt Yang
Distributor: Rialto Distribution
Runtime: 100 mins. Reviewed in Nov 2024
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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A former DEA agent and a former undercover operative revisit their romance during a fateful weekend in Taipei, unaware of the dangerous consequences of their past.
An action weekend in Taipei, enabling the audience to spend some time in Taiwan. This is familiar action and romance material. And, for many audiences, when it comes to easy action/romance entertainment, they know what to expect and what they want. While many commentators and reviewers want originality and films to break new ground, the general audience does not necessarily want this at all. They are satisfied to see what they expected with some pleasant variations.
Which is very much the case here. The initial focus is on wealthy Taiwanese businessmen, Kwang (Kang), his court cases, his declarations of innocence and accused involvement in drug dealing, especially to the US. Then there is his wife, Joey (Gwei). Audiences will enjoy the introduction to her, the actress and style, hair, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, looking into the store window, and, in the background, Moon River. Then she drives a car at breakneck speed through Taipei, buys it for her gangster husband’s birthday. And the revelation that she has a 13-year-old son Raymond (Yang), who is hostile to his stepfather, critical of his killing of dolphins in his fishing business and destroying the environment.
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, Agent John Lawlor (Evans) is working undercover with an associate in a Chinese restaurant. He becomes involved in a huge fight – amazing how much damage can be done with a wok. And, in the background, Johnny Cash sings ‘Ring of Fire’.
Obviously, everything has to come together. Lawlor, despite orders against it, makes his way to Taipei to confront Kwang. This might have been over happily with fights and guns early in the film, but there is an escape, some romantic time spent in the country village, with Lawlor discovering his paternity, Raymond discovering his father and learning a great deal about his mother’s past life.
Then, into action again, speed driving, Lawlor and Kwang fighting in a cinema in front of the screen, and, reminiscent for film buffs of the Japanese couple enjoying the wild ride through San Francisco in Foul Play, an old couple watching, thinking it was all part of the film, 3-D!
Kang, a Korean-American, has appeared in many at the American productions including several of the Fast and Furious franchise. Gwei is a star of Taiwanese cinema. Evans is taking on the kind of role made popular by Liam Neeson and other older actors.
Final credits indicate just what a family show it has been!
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