THE LONGEST NITE (1998) Directed By Patrick Yau Tat-chi Script by Yau Nai-hoi, Szeto Kam-yuen Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Lau Ching-wan, Maggie Siu Mei-kei, Lung Fong, Lo Hoi-pang, Ching Siu-lung, Mark Cheng Ho-nam, Fong Gong

Reviewed by Ron Murillo

Probably one of the best film noirs in many a year, The Longest Nite is a gritty, often brutal portrait of a corrupt cop (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), who is trying to put the lid on a triad war in Macau by driving out all potential "contractors" from taking a bounty on one of the gang leaders. He runs afoul of a bald hood named Tony (Lau Ching-wan, in a particularly chilling performance) and forces a waitress (Maggie siu Mei-kei) to i.d. the thug as the killer of her employer, though she had already identified the son (Mark Cheng Ho-nam) of one of the triad leaders as the murderer. In a turn of events, evidence is laid out that the policeman may be driving potential assassins out of the area to claim the bounty for himself. Director Patrick Yau Tai-chi creates a dark atmosphere that accentuates each move and points to the bizarre chess game being played out. The Longest Nite is full of twists and turns, and surprises, but it is a film that has to be watched carefully, because everything means something.

Or does it?

You have been warned.