Infernal Affairs

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Year:	2002
Country of origin:	Hong Kong
Director:	Wai-keung Lau, Alan Mak
Genre:	Hong Kong underbelly
Starring:	Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Sammi Cheng
Rating:	4/5
IMDB link:	http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/
Tagline:	Loyalty. Honor. Betrayal.
Favourite line:	N/A - Subtitles

Famously remade into Scorcese's epic The Departed, the Hong Kong original is a punchier, grittier affair.

The plot:
In the Hong Kong underworld, where triads control the drug trafficking, one particular triad boss has a problem. He suspects a mole in his organisation, a member of his gang working for the police whilst, at the same time, he too has a mole, a triad member working within the self same police department.
With both parties aware that the other is onto them, it is only a matter of time before one or both of the moles' identities is discovered and, when that moment comes, blood will surely flow.

Stylishly directed - lots of pul-lbacks and spin-rounds and sudden close-ups, this also has an eclectic soundtrack that keeps you guessing almost as much as the plot; one moment dub techno, the next spine-crushing power chords.
With genuinely likeable leads, the language barrier is no hindrance to their ability to convince in their respective roles, this simultaneously complex yet simplistic yarn should keep you gripped to the bitter, bitter end.
Whether better than the remake, I'm not sure, but it is certainly on a par.