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Exiled
放‧逐
2006 108 min Hong Kong R 16+
★7.3
Action, Crime, Thriller
Director: Johnnie To
Trailers
Description
A friendship is formed between an ex-gangster, and two groups of hitmen - those who want to protect him and those who were sent to kill him.
Budget:
$4.8M
US Gross:
$51,957
Starring
Nick Cheung
Actor
Anthony Chau-Sang Wong
Actor
Francis Ng
Actor
Awards
Asian Film Academy 2007
— Best Picture
Venice Film Festival 2006
— Golden Lion
Asian Film Academy 2007
— Best Director
Key opinion
Exiled is widely celebrated as a stylish, atmospheric masterpiece that elevates the Hong Kong crime genre through meticulous visual craft and a focus on themes of brotherhood. While some viewers criticize the thin narrative and logical inconsistencies, most find the fusion of Western-inspired aesthetics and poetic action to be a compelling, high-quality cinematic experience.
| Direction | Johnnie To's direction demonstrates unmatched visual elegance, utilizing precise geometric choreography and striking, meticulously composed frames. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography is consistently lauded for its inventive camera work, slow-motion sequences, and masterful use of color and light to create a noir atmosphere. | |
| Theme | The film functions as a poetic, stylized exploration of brotherhood and loyalty, effectively blending Eastern gangster tropes with Spaghetti Western musical motifs. | |
| Acting | The performances are anchored by charismatic, veteran actors who bring a believable, melancholic gravity to the archetypal roles of the five hitmen. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative divides audiences: some find the simple, predictable plot to be a perfect vessel for stylistic exploration, while others feel it is banal, illogical, or lacking in emotional substance. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on pacing vary; supporters appreciate the contemplative, tension-filled tempo, whereas detractors find the film dull or struggle with its non-traditional action flow. |