Reviewed by Daniel Rutledge
A totally unpredictable tale of paranoid assassins, Accident is a real joy to see on the big screen. And we’re lucky enough to have it open here in New Zealand the same day it opens in its homeland of Hong Kong - a rare treat for Kiwi-based fans of HK cinema.
Produced by Johnnie To – whose stylistic influences are all over many of the scenes – the film is directed by Soi Cheang, a relative new-comer that I hope to see a lot more of.
The story follows a professional hitman who goes by the moniker ‘Brain’. He and his small team of assassins kill their victims by trapping them in well crafted accidents that look like unfortunate mishaps but are in fact perfectly staged killings.
These ‘accidents’ play out as elaborate set-pieces in the hustle and bustle of contemporary Hong Kong and while they are far-fetched at times, it’s hugely entertaining to watch them unfold.
Brain is a pretty paranoid guy to begin with, and when one of his hits goes wrong and costs the life of one of his team, it pushes him over the edge.
He shuts everyone he knows out of his life and becomes dangerously obsessed with finding out who it is that is trying to set him up for a fatal ‘accident’.
What follows is one of those rare cinematic joys – having absolutely no idea what is going to happen next, even less of an idea of what is going to happen in the end, and enjoying every minute of finding out. Accident is a classy, tightly-paced thriller with a brilliantly twisting plot.
It is not playing as part of Auckland’s Hong Kong Film Festival which also opens today, but should definitely seen as an accompaniment to it.
Watch it before the inevitable watered-down American remake sees the light of day.
Accident
:: Director: Soi Cheang
:: Starring: Richie Jen, Louis Koo, Feng Tsui-fan
:: Running Time: 86 mins
:: Rating: M - Contains violence & sexual scenes
:: Release Date: September 17, 2009
:: Official site: Click here
