In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Tactical Unit: No Way Out (2009)

The second of five TV Movies set after Johnnie To's PTU (2003). Much of the focus is on a man named Fai (Derek Tsang), a small-time pedlar of illegally imported cigarettes. The PTU abuse him until he has no choice but to work for them, which puts him in the line of fire of the Triad gangs.
Fai and his friend (Wu Li) are the heart of the story. The careful sensitivity by which their relationship is shown is the most crucially affecting aspect. The performances of both Tsang and Li under pressure are genuinely amazing.
Be warned, there are some immensely harrowing scenes in the second half.

4 illuminated steps out of 5

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