“Exiled” (-) For reasons that I cannot fathom, the New York Times reviewer, Matt Zoller Seitz, described this movie as “a tonic — a film that delivers all the visceral satisfactions of a super-macho action picture (close-quarters gun battles; slow-motion ‘Wild Bunch’-style side-by-side struts) and unabashedly sentimental depiction of loyalty and tenderness as well as plot twists that are surprising, often bizarre, yet feel just right.”
Yes, the film contains lots of shooting, blood and gore, but in the words of the master of the English language, it is “Much Ado About Nothing.” Compared with watching Sam Peckinpah’s film, “Straw Dogs,” which is a brilliant ballet, seeing “Exiled” is a complete waste of your time.
The picture was produced in Hong Kong, and the setting is the Island of Macau, which was, until not long ago, owned by Portugal. As Hong Kong was returned to China by the British, Portugal did the same with Macau. I went to Macau over ten years ago and found it interesting but less fascinating and less developed than Hong Kong. Before the Chinese took charge, and even for some time afterwards, the island was dominated by criminal syndicates.
The plot of the movie is based upon the battles of rival gangs and the effort to inflict death upon a small group of gang members headed by Wo (Nick Cheung). The movie opens with the gang running to Wo’s home where his wife Jin (Josie Ho) and child are waiting. The head of the major syndicate, Fay (Simon Yam), has sent his goons to kill Wo and his supporters.
Two gun battles take place in confined quarters and one in an open field during which bullets fly by the hundreds. Fay and Wo are injured in a restaurant battle and both end up in a doctor’s office. When Wo arrives, the doctor is in bed with a prostitute. For large amounts of cash, he becomes available to treat Wo and later Fay. The movie then makes a diversion with a gold bar heist.
If you intend to travel to the Far East, go to Hong Kong first and then China and Macau. When I was in Macau I purchased wonderful small sculpted figurines — simulated Netsuke — which at the time cost about $25.00 each. Ivory is a banned material so the statues are made from a composite of fish bone and plastic. When I went to China, I received very good advice from a traveler who said, “If you see something you like and can afford it, buy it. Chances are you won’t pass that way again.”
My advice to you about this film is to skip it. (In Cantonese, with English subtitles) HS said: “In addition to the Times review, ‘Exiled’ received favorable comments in the Village Voice from J. Hoberman, a discerning critic.
These students of films and fine arts compare gunfights in different movies as if they were analyzing a ballet, with its moves and counter-moves. Those of us with less refined taste judge movies by other standards: 1) Did we like the show? 2) Could we follow the plot? 3) Could we tell the characters apart? By those standards, I found ‘Exiled’ quite difficult. I would not recommend it, but if you like a Far East movie shot in the Far East, it could be your cup of tea.”
