Fans of the iconic 2002 thriller "Infernal Affairs", and its successful sequels along with the award-winning remake by Martin Scorsese “The Departed", will inevitably be keen to the follow-up film. The latest Hong Kong import "The Goldfinger" sees film stars Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Andy Lau united once again in a highly anticipated project. Directed and written by Felix Chong, who lent his creativity to "Infernal Affairs" as co-writer, this new venture brings together ingredients of success, at least on paper.
The plot draws inspiration from a gripping financial scandal that made waves in the 1980s Hong Kong, weaving an intriguing narrative reminiscent of Scorsese's classics: "Goodfellas" and "The Wolf of Wall Street". However, the result is an unexpectedly tepid film that falls short in its treatment of the intriguing storyline.
In "The Goldfinger", we follow the journey of Henry Ching (played by Leung Chiu-wai), a bankrupt Singaporean who gets introduced in the early 1970s narrating his future endeavors in Hong Kong. The initial dream of becoming an engineer doesn't actualize but a serendipitous foray into real estate unknowingly lands him a fortune. The following years see him capitalizing on his newly found wealth towards creating a successful empire worth billions by the 80s.
However, as expected, this success doesn't go unnoticed and raises the suspicions of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Inspector Lau Kai-yuen (played by Lau) becomes a thorn in Ching’s side, relentlessly pursuing a case against him despite the strain it puts on his personal life. Ching remains frustratingly untouchable, using his wealth and connections to maintain his freedom.
Despite its potentially captivating premise, Chong struggles to retain the inherent tension and excitement of the story. The incorporation of a flashback arrangement feels unnecessary and hampers the narrative flow. The director's attempt to offer more screentime to the inspector character complicates things, turning the potentially gripping storyline into a disjointed narrative.
The depth of the two key characters is also lacking. The underlying motivations of Ching's greed and Lau's earnest pursuit of justice are not fully explored, leaving the audience to grapple with near-cliché portrayals. The film also teases a deeper conspiracy involving more powerful influences, only to ignore it subsequently.
For "Infernal Affairs" fans hoping to revisit the chemistry between Leung Chiu-wai and Lau, "The Goldfinger" comes as a mild letdown. They only appear together in few scenes, which fail to deliver the expected intensity. Despite having the more flamboyant role, Leung Chiu-wai's portrayal of Ching lacks depth. On the other hand, Lau's character seems stuck in a repetitive loop.
One of Hong Kong's most expensive film productions, "The Goldfinger" delivers on style and panache. However, it may appeal more to viewers familiar with the actual events of the scandal that inspired it. Overall, the movie feels like a polished, but hollow remake, leaving much to be desired from the perspective of true cinema enthusiasts.
Critique specialist, self-proclaimed Taylor Swift enthusiast, and savy social commentator, Peter Sobczynski lends his insights regularly to The Spool and can be heard weekly discussing new Blu-Ray releases on the Movie Madness podcast on the Now Playing network.
