I think it's more or less exactly what you'd have to expect from a Fassbinder noir, and though it's not as strong as Love Is Colder Than Death, it's powerful in its reflective moments. The theme song embodies the Fassbinder facet of so bad it's good.
Gambling is not among the vices that appeal to me, but I'm drawn toward stories about gambling because they usually revolve around the themes of ennui and addiction, both of which I can certainly relate to. This maybe doesn't have any revelations about those themes, but in terms of drowning you in their atmosphere it's about as good as it gets. Magnificently directed and photographed, and at least for me deeply resonant.
Not quite one of my favorite triad movies, but by the second half I definitely understood its reputation. Some of the best directed action scenes on film (not that it's my area of expertise). At first I felt like the gangster ennui stuff had been handled better in Sonatine, but I think this is actually just less overt, more playful and elliptical. Interesting plot structure, sweet ending. Speaking of theme songs, I can't remember the last time I heard one that matched its movie so well.
No comments:
Post a Comment