In reviewing a considerable number of Chinese films over the years, I’ve become a fan of Andy Lau. Aside from House of Flying Daggers, he hasn’t done much that has made any real impact on this side of the pond. Nor has Hollywood had the good sense to take advantage of his talents like they have with Donnie Yen.
But Lau has has starred in some outstanding action films during his lengthy career. If you haven’t seen the likes of Firestorm, Internal Affairs, The Adventurers or Chasing the Dragon (his once-in-a-lifetime pairing with Yen), drop what you’re doing and seek these movies out. You won’t be disappointed.
That being said, I’m still not quite sure what to think about 2004’s A World Without Thieves. Most Lau films I’ve seen are from the action genre, but his one his completely different in pace and tone. That’s not to say he isn’t excellent in his role as Pang Bo, a smart, cocky thief who teams with partner/lover Wang Li (Rene Liu), traveling around the country to rob and fleece others.
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| My Breakfast with Andy. |
Their personal and professional relationship changes when Wang meets “Dumbo” (Wang Baoqiang), a gullible, naive young rube who simply wants to return home with money earned from a construction job, buy a house and get married. Charmed by his innocence, Wang becomes protective of him, while Pang initially sees him as just another mark, at least until another gang of expert thieves, led by “Uncle” Li (Ge You), conspire to steal Dumbo’s stash of cash. A battle of wits ensues.
The film is set primarily on a train, with both sides trying to one-up and outwit each other. But while there is some action, it arrives in fits & starts and mostly seems like an afterthought. The focus is more on light comedy, as well as the strange relationship between Dumbo, Pang and Yang, which is sometimes engaging, but just-as-often meandering. Lau is easily the best part of the film, but I’d argue he’s not even the primary protagonist. That would be Wang, who’s well-played by Liu, but her character isn’t nearly as interesting, despite being more sympathetic and complex.
A World Without Thieves is not the movie I was expecting, which is certainly a disappointment. But that could simply be because I simply haven't seen Andy Lau in anything but action flicks. Going into it without such assumptions arguably makes it a better film, or at least an interesting curio in the actor’s lengthy filmography. Though maybe a little too long and leisurely paced, it’s still worth checking out.
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