To Live and Die in Mongkok (2009) [N/A]
Featuring:
Nick Cheung, Hee Ching Paw, Kai-Chi Liu
Written by:
Jing Wong
Directed by:
Siu-Hung Chung, Jing Wong
Release Date:
November 19, 2009
Original Title:
旺角監獄
Alternate Titles:
旺角監獄
Genres:
Thriller
Production Countries:
Hong Kong
Ratings / Certifications:
N/A
Runtime: 96
Set within Mongkok, Hong Kong, an area known as the most crowded in the world, a schizophrenic ex-con views his Mongkok surroundings as a prison he can't get out of after he is released from a 30 years jail sentence.
This was by far my favorite movie of 2009, which I describe to my western friends as Forrest Gump meets Shawshank Redemption. I have never heard a negative review, with the consensus something along the lines of "wow... I'm not sure how I feel about that... did that really happen?" You will never be the same after you have watched Mongkok. The quick flowing plot and very complex characters are spear headed by a riveting performance by Nick Cheung (who is the Chinese equivalent of Tom Hanks with his depth of acting skill). The plot itself and most characters appear like those of any average crime/suspense movie, but soon become so real you are afraid how things are going to end. No twists or Hollywood tricks are needed to deliver this epic. High points of this movie are the "ah ha" moment when you grasp the unusual character and how well it was conveyed. And the equally captivating fight scenes that put any western action sequences to shame.This is a full spectrum movie with love, humor, sorrow, excitement, and a truly unforgettable ending. All without the false suspense, forced violence, or contrived characters found in 99% of the big movies coming out these days.
