Dishonour among thieves

Johnny To's Hong Kong thrillers have atmosphere, style and a real feeling for what might be best described as Eastern film noir.

But this Triad epic is not quite the best of them.

In it, the Wo Shing Society is attempting to elect a new chairman from two eligible but treacherous candidates. Lok (Simon Yam) is the favourite but Big D (Tony Leung Ka-Fai) will stop at nothing to prevent it.

To's extended finale is pretty gruesome and very well done, proving that traditional brotherhood ways do not survive contemporary "business" methods.

There was a time when there was honour among thieves. But not, apparently, any more.

Election
Cert: 18