Nightfall
manages to fit an amazing number of genres into one film. Though the first
twenty-minutes can be somewhat difficult to predict—or even to follow—due to
this overflowing style of filmmaking, it is a testament to director Chow Hin
Yeung’s ability to balance it all out into a spectacularly effective detective
thriller; a mystery with some film noir, more than a little family melodrama,
and a good dose of well choreographed action sequences.
The most
extravagant of the action sequences opens the film and introduces us to
Yuen-yeung Wong (Nick Cheung), though we aren’t given context for this sequence
until far later in the film. The way the story unfolds allows the audience a
brief period before being able to predict the ending, which may be a little too
on-the-nose for anyone who watches a lot of mystery films or TV shows. Wong is
released from prison, silently wandering the city and eating ice cream cones.
The only thing the mute ex-con seems interested in is a master pianist and
minor celebrity (Michael Wong), and his daughter (Janice Man).
When the
pianist’s body is found brutally mutilated, Wong is the main suspect and
Detective Lam (Simon Yam) is the driving force behind the investigation. The
more that Lam investigates, the more complex he discovers the case to be. The
story behind Wong’s reason for incarceration in the first place leads Detective
Lam down a rabbit hole of secrets and cover-ups. During all of this Wong plays
a game of chess with Lam, always staying one step ahead both mentally and
physically, having spent 20 years in prison preparing for his tasks.
Despite its
confusing beginning and predictable ending, Nightfall is an effective thriller
with a great cast headed up by two great leads. The Blu-ray includes a making-of
featurette and a trailer, though nothing beats the high definition presentation
of the opening scene.
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7/10
Historical
Significance: 6/10
Disc Features: 6/10
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