Election

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 18 Feb 2006, 12:35

Election is an intimate study of one of the world’s largest and complicated gangster organisations. It is incredibly rare for a film, even by Johnnie To standards, to not rush in with its “all guns blazing” attitude and romanticised view of the Triads. The principal motive is to illustrate the startling contrast between the society’s origins and modern day gangsters. Age old tradition and symbolic gestures of loyalty are negligently ignored in an era fuelled by corruption and selfishness, causing individuals to backstab and act in a less heroic manner. Johnnie To’s intention was for Election to be a cinematic landmark; he would have succeeded had he not diluted it down to a 99 minute timeslot. As a result, the film suffers from a confusing narrative and a distinct lack of characterisation. If a three hour cut were to surface in the near future then it would be warmly welcomed by this reviewer.

The DVD is a splendid package from Panorama; beautiful in ambience and quality. There are plenty of English subtitled interviews to keep one satisfied and the audio options are surprisingly dimensional for character-driven drama. The embarrassingly repetitive Hong Kong film industry still has a long climb before it can match its peak, but Johnnie To’s recent effort has provided a little nudge in the right direction.

I'm sure most have probably seen this already but thought I'd link to the review anyway.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 18 Feb 2006, 12:48

I still don't know what to think of "Election". On the one hand it failed to impress me as the long-awaited Johnnie To-film I have been waiting for. The film that was at Cannes and that had this awesome teaser poster.

However, I guess it is one of these films that get better with each time you watch it as you then learn to appreciate the other aspects of the film, the aspects you hadn't been expecting before watching the first time you watch this.

3/5 upon my first viewing.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 18 Feb 2006, 13:34

Aye it's a grower. I appreciated it more on repeated viewings.

It is very different by Johnnie To standards...

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 12 Mar 2006, 18:50

hey,

it's not as cinematic (think PTU) or wacky, hence feeling different in that regard for me. Not his very, very best but a good experience nonetheless, depicting triad loyalty as something very lost today. Although certain hypocritic triads would have you believe otherwise.

Obviously, despite the 180 minute running time at one point, this one was designed so a sequel could be done and I hope Election 2 will therefore elaborate more on Louis Koo and Nick Cheung's character as they really feel like inconclusive as characters as it stands now. My review from a little while back:

http://www.sogoodreviews.com/reviews/election.htm

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Mar 2006, 12:55

Nice to see you back on Bullets Knetan after all this time.