Release Date: Malaysia, 14 Feb 2019
Genre: Thriller
Running Length: 1:54
Cast: Sean Lau Ching-wan, Nick Cheung Ka-fai, Karena Lam, Alex Fong Chung-san, Anita Yuen Wing-yi, Deep Ng
Director: Alan Mak
Screenplay: Alan Mak
When INTEGRITY, soared to the top of the Hong Kong box office during this Lunar New Year, I had to check it out because it's not your typical type of genre to be released during the Chinese New Year period.
The holiday period is usually reserved for light-hearted comedy family type of blockbusters, not something so serious which involves corruption, crime, money laundering and cryptocurrency. Just check out the trailer below and you'll know what I mean.
And I was also looking forward to see Sean Lau and Anita Yuen reunite on screen after 26 years. They appeared in 1993’s C’est la vie, mon chéri <新不了情> as a pair of lovers but in this movie, Sean's character will be going head on against Anita Yuen's character in court.
Not a spoiler: Although there is only one scene they shared together in this film, I must say it was very memorable.
With regards to the plot, I actually don't know where to start. But I'll try. King (Sean Lau) is an anti-corruption officer in Hong Kong’s ICAC (our equivalent of MACC), who is in the heat of investigating a high-profile corruption case involving a tobacco company and the customs. A key witness, the whistle-blowing accountant Jack (Nick Cheung) who is about to appear in court decides to flee the country. Another officer Shirley (Karena Lam), is tasked to look for him.
Sounds simple enough, right? NOooo~
Nothing is simple when it comes to Alan Mak, the co-director of the acclaimed Infernal Affairs trilogy and the Overheard trilogy. The plot is heavy and convoluted but thankfully fairly easy to follow (at times it tries too hard to be too smart. Reminds me of last year's Chow Yun-fat and Aaron Kwok's Project Gutenberg).
His signature atmospheric build-up and tension with the occasional humour are all present in this film
I am really glad that Hong Kong is not giving up and is still producing such gritty drama which relies on its intricate plotting instead of the staple gun-toting loud action scenes. Unfortunately, the film falls apart at the end leaving me unsatisfied and questioning what's the purpose of this whole movie.
But thanks to the A-list actors, this film is more than watchable. The performances from the three main leads; Sean, Nick and Karena are very good. There is a sub-plot involving King and Shirley's relationship which I thought was a nice break from the film's weighty plot.
Also, this movie also gave me a glimpse of the intricacies of finance and creative accounting. As the film was unspooling, I just couldn't help but compare it with our very own 1MDB scandal and the integrity of every party, big or small, who was involved in it.
RATING: 7/10
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