What do you get when you combine an idealistic country bumpkin, two sets of professional thieves, and a long train ride (with more than it's share of surprises along)? Well if it's awesomely directed, acted and filmed, it's probably Feng Xiaogang's A World Without Thieves, a slow paced but rewarding film.
In the opening, we meet a male and female couple who are professional thieves named Bo Wong (Andy Lau) and Li Wang (Rene Liu). After an argument about Li leaving the profession, Bo kicks her out of the car. Walking into town, Li meets a naive orphan named Dumbo(Baoqiang Wang) who happens to be carrying his life's saving of 60,000 dollars with him in his carry-on bag. Li and Fu quickly become friends, when Bo re-enters the story. The three decide to take a train ride where they meet another set of professional pickpockets. Dumbo soon finds himself in the middle of two set's of scheming thieves, his only protection is the sympathetic thief Li Wang. But is she enough to save the lamb from the wolves?
The film's first 20 minutes is actually the best shot and most emotionally affecting part of the film, it actually called to my mind the better works of Zhang Yimou. The opener also features some brilliant work by Photography Director Zhang Li. The shots of mainland China's mountains and are incredibly shot and framed. Unfortunately, after the characters enter the train, we loose the beautiful landscape shots. The film than turns into a war of thieves complete with (what I'll call) Pickpocket Kung Fu, a series of dangerous contests, double crossings, and all kinds of out-right deliciously scandalous behavior.
Although, shot a bit too-closely for my tastes, the action scenes are well-done, but they seem to be a bit out of pace with the film's beginning feel and overall themes. The competition scenes where actually much more satisfying than the film's martial arts. I wished the director would have featured more of the pickpocketing tricks and less of the razor-blade Kung Fu. Luckily, the sum of the whole is greater than it's parts and overall AWWT makes for one of the most satisfying films I've seen in years.
The characters also help make this film what it is. Andy Lau is excellent as the devious but likable Bo. Rene Liu is also great as the Yin to Bo's Yang. Her Character is played pretty straight forwardly but is convincing as the only real character in the film that could be called a decent person(other than Dumbo). Everyone plays holds their weight in the film, actually the only weak link-in terms of acting-is Baoqiang Wang as the naive countryman. His performance isn't bad but seems to be a bit over-done (is anybody really that innocent?).
On a inconsequential side note, I understand the concept of Andy Lau's need to disguise himself (being a wanted man and all). But why did the director feel the need to dress him in that horrible wig? I actually applauded and cheered approximately 70 minutes into the film when Bo looses his hairpiece in the wind.
Bottom Line- A World Without Thieves is an all around good time. It has it's share of minor faults but is overall a great film.
In the opening, we meet a male and female couple who are professional thieves named Bo Wong (Andy Lau) and Li Wang (Rene Liu). After an argument about Li leaving the profession, Bo kicks her out of the car. Walking into town, Li meets a naive orphan named Dumbo(Baoqiang Wang) who happens to be carrying his life's saving of 60,000 dollars with him in his carry-on bag. Li and Fu quickly become friends, when Bo re-enters the story. The three decide to take a train ride where they meet another set of professional pickpockets. Dumbo soon finds himself in the middle of two set's of scheming thieves, his only protection is the sympathetic thief Li Wang. But is she enough to save the lamb from the wolves?
The film's first 20 minutes is actually the best shot and most emotionally affecting part of the film, it actually called to my mind the better works of Zhang Yimou. The opener also features some brilliant work by Photography Director Zhang Li. The shots of mainland China's mountains and are incredibly shot and framed. Unfortunately, after the characters enter the train, we loose the beautiful landscape shots. The film than turns into a war of thieves complete with (what I'll call) Pickpocket Kung Fu, a series of dangerous contests, double crossings, and all kinds of out-right deliciously scandalous behavior.
Although, shot a bit too-closely for my tastes, the action scenes are well-done, but they seem to be a bit out of pace with the film's beginning feel and overall themes. The competition scenes where actually much more satisfying than the film's martial arts. I wished the director would have featured more of the pickpocketing tricks and less of the razor-blade Kung Fu. Luckily, the sum of the whole is greater than it's parts and overall AWWT makes for one of the most satisfying films I've seen in years.
The characters also help make this film what it is. Andy Lau is excellent as the devious but likable Bo. Rene Liu is also great as the Yin to Bo's Yang. Her Character is played pretty straight forwardly but is convincing as the only real character in the film that could be called a decent person(other than Dumbo). Everyone plays holds their weight in the film, actually the only weak link-in terms of acting-is Baoqiang Wang as the naive countryman. His performance isn't bad but seems to be a bit over-done (is anybody really that innocent?).
On a inconsequential side note, I understand the concept of Andy Lau's need to disguise himself (being a wanted man and all). But why did the director feel the need to dress him in that horrible wig? I actually applauded and cheered approximately 70 minutes into the film when Bo looses his hairpiece in the wind.
Bottom Line- A World Without Thieves is an all around good time. It has it's share of minor faults but is overall a great film.