Heartbeat 100
One genre that HK seems to have had very few successes
with is the mystery/suspense film. It is rare for them to even attempt
to make one and only a few films such as The Case of the Cold Fish or Scared
Stiff come to mind. This film directed by Kent Cheng (who has a cameo
at the end of the film as a cop) does go down this road and though the
film is far from a classic, it does in fact generate some degree of suspense
and is overall an enjoyable film to watch.
It begins with an intense scene when a woman
whispers to a man that they should slip away and have sex. During the sex
act – in which some nudity is displayed – the woman savagely kills the
man with a knife. Her lover (who's face is not shown) appears from the
shadows, applauds and then lovingly embraces her as he kills her. It turns
out that they are all involved with a robbery that recently took place
in HK and one partner is upping his share considerably.
Maggie Cheung, her sister (Bonnie Law) and their
male friend Weenie Eyes (Lui Fong) are on the way to a small rural village
called On Loc. Maggie is a mystery writer and is going to the town to write
her next book. The town’s name means “Happy” but this small village is
something out of the mind of David Lynch – below the everyday ordinariness
lies a layer of corruption and evil that the three of them slowly become
aware of.
At the same time, HK policeman Mark Cheng comes
to town to investigate the possibility that the killer is living in that
town and he becomes involved with Maggie and company. One night Maggie
thinks she sees a murder being committed but by the time the cops come
– the evidence and body have vanished. Was it just her imagination? As
any good mystery writer would - she decides to investigate on her own.
This leads to a number of near escapes from being murdered herself – but
who is behind it all?
The film keeps up a good level of suspense throughout
and doesn’t allow itself to slip into the realm of corny comedy where some
dramatic HK films often wander. This film has a fine ensemble cast and
the actors do an excellent job – and have some good scenes in which their
fear appears very real and palpable.
