The Longest Nite is really something. If you, like me, love those violent, dark and gritty - evoking an almost apocalyptic atmosphere - Hong Kong crime films, like The Big Heat (another Johnnie To film even if Tsui Hark had a firm hand on the creative process), then you ought to get glued to the screen in a similar fashion. But unlike The Big Heat, the comedy here is totally nonexistent. The city of Macau depicted here is ridden with criminals and corrupt cops, who sometimes associate themselves with one of the two major gangs. Both have been at each other's throat for some time, making some businesses go down in the process which displeased an old but powerful triad boss who owned a lot of them. He then threatened both to stay low and to preferably leave the city. Tony Lung delivers a very good performance as the protagonist, a corrupt cop – violent but surprisingly calm – who tries to keep the peace between both gangs. Unfortunately a price is put on the head of one of the two bosses, and it is rumoured it could be the other one who did so. Things then become sour, setting the stage for this gripping crime thriller.
Lau Ching Wan plays this badass outsider – a mean one, but not from the cool breed – with a mysterious purpose. He initially seems more like a nuisance to Tony Lung's character, Sam, but as the movie advances his unknown motives start to feel all the more distressing. In the bleak world of The Longest Nite, there's no real good characters to root for. Sam is the closest to a good guy as you'll find, but early on his bad side is more obvious as he is not the victim he'll become later, the story taking unexpected turns and unfolding in a fashion reminiscent of Se7en.
The film starts with a short narration briefing you on the situation right before throwing you deep into the mess. Afterwards, you'll need to assimilate as much as possible of what is happening to understand well what is happening, and it can sometimes become hard to follow when you forget which boss is who. Anyway, the filming style is great too, the camera often looks around while not being so steady, giving a certain grounded feel, making you feel a witness of the events the movie shows you. The title being quite appropriate, the whole thing mostly takes place during a single night. The film isn't that long so things can become a bit hectic; not rushed, but you can feel how stressed and always on the edge the characters probably are. All this can be felt through the visuals too. Almost the totality of the film is taking place at night, occasionally under the neon lights of the Asian city. Add in smoke here and there, some other lighting work and the likes, and you've got everything to love about the aesthetics of Hong Kong crime cinema, further reinforcing the gritty and bleak mood conveyed through the story and characters.
The Longest Nite is an essential viewing for anyone into these intense, violent and gritty Hong Kong crime films. Not necessarily like the more romantic and theatrical work of John Woo – feeling almost like Greek tragedies – but more down to Earth stuff even if it's quite unrealistic in how bleak the whole thing is.
Lau Ching Wan plays this badass outsider – a mean one, but not from the cool breed – with a mysterious purpose. He initially seems more like a nuisance to Tony Lung's character, Sam, but as the movie advances his unknown motives start to feel all the more distressing. In the bleak world of The Longest Nite, there's no real good characters to root for. Sam is the closest to a good guy as you'll find, but early on his bad side is more obvious as he is not the victim he'll become later, the story taking unexpected turns and unfolding in a fashion reminiscent of Se7en.
The film starts with a short narration briefing you on the situation right before throwing you deep into the mess. Afterwards, you'll need to assimilate as much as possible of what is happening to understand well what is happening, and it can sometimes become hard to follow when you forget which boss is who. Anyway, the filming style is great too, the camera often looks around while not being so steady, giving a certain grounded feel, making you feel a witness of the events the movie shows you. The title being quite appropriate, the whole thing mostly takes place during a single night. The film isn't that long so things can become a bit hectic; not rushed, but you can feel how stressed and always on the edge the characters probably are. All this can be felt through the visuals too. Almost the totality of the film is taking place at night, occasionally under the neon lights of the Asian city. Add in smoke here and there, some other lighting work and the likes, and you've got everything to love about the aesthetics of Hong Kong crime cinema, further reinforcing the gritty and bleak mood conveyed through the story and characters.
The Longest Nite is an essential viewing for anyone into these intense, violent and gritty Hong Kong crime films. Not necessarily like the more romantic and theatrical work of John Woo – feeling almost like Greek tragedies – but more down to Earth stuff even if it's quite unrealistic in how bleak the whole thing is.