Director Feng Xiao Gang does it again, delivering yet another incredible movie full of humour, heart, drama, karma and of course, great performances. Andy Lau and Rene Liu play a modern day Bonnie & Clyde type of couple - conning and thieving their way across China. As tensions mount between them, with Liu gaining some regret and change of heart after a trip to a temple - strengthened by the meeting of a young Wang Bao Qiang, star of Detective Chinatown, who shows her much kindness.
Soon after, Wang must take the train home and along with him, 60K in cash. On the same train he meets once again with Rene, who introduces him to partner Andy who promise to look after him - Rene, in return for his kindness, and Andy with the intent to get his hands on Wang's money!
Also on the train are another band of thieves lead by Uncle Bill (Ge You). These include Gordon Lam and Li Bing Bing, and upon hearing of Wang's 60K on-board, set out to divide his protectors and steal the money. As relationships are tested, trust in humanity pushed, and finding ones own morals, we are taken on a beautiful train ride through China watching as each gang of thieves fight for their winnings, whether its by dancing and deflecting razor-blades, or outwitting the opposition using their brain...
A World Without Thieves is just gorgeous to watch. While a simple story, Feng likes to peel the layers of each character, making sure we don't tire of this extensively long train journey and at the same time, entertain us with his usual, well-crafted dialogue. There are plenty of light-hearted moments along the way, but nothing that detracts from the drama and moral that he is trying to get across.
Emotional and well acted, the film starts out with some funny scenes, with the humour soon trickling-off in the second half, leading to some serious dramatic moments, you can't help but fall or Feng's wonderful storytelling and lessons on karma. Wang stars in what was only his second feature film to date, and already showed then just how great an actor he was. Flawed yes, but well worth the watch!
Overall: Wonderfully filmed and directed, A World Without Thieves is another outstanding piece of work from the great Feng Xiao Gang!
Soon after, Wang must take the train home and along with him, 60K in cash. On the same train he meets once again with Rene, who introduces him to partner Andy who promise to look after him - Rene, in return for his kindness, and Andy with the intent to get his hands on Wang's money!
Also on the train are another band of thieves lead by Uncle Bill (Ge You). These include Gordon Lam and Li Bing Bing, and upon hearing of Wang's 60K on-board, set out to divide his protectors and steal the money. As relationships are tested, trust in humanity pushed, and finding ones own morals, we are taken on a beautiful train ride through China watching as each gang of thieves fight for their winnings, whether its by dancing and deflecting razor-blades, or outwitting the opposition using their brain...
A World Without Thieves is just gorgeous to watch. While a simple story, Feng likes to peel the layers of each character, making sure we don't tire of this extensively long train journey and at the same time, entertain us with his usual, well-crafted dialogue. There are plenty of light-hearted moments along the way, but nothing that detracts from the drama and moral that he is trying to get across.
Emotional and well acted, the film starts out with some funny scenes, with the humour soon trickling-off in the second half, leading to some serious dramatic moments, you can't help but fall or Feng's wonderful storytelling and lessons on karma. Wang stars in what was only his second feature film to date, and already showed then just how great an actor he was. Flawed yes, but well worth the watch!
Overall: Wonderfully filmed and directed, A World Without Thieves is another outstanding piece of work from the great Feng Xiao Gang!