"The Odd One Dies" Chinese DVD Cover
Director: Patrick Yau
Writer: Wai Ka-Fai
Producer: Johnnie To Kei-Fung, Wai Ka-Fai
Cast: Kaneshiro Takeshi, Carman Lee Yeuk Tung, Ken Choi Fung Wah, Lam Suet, Chiu Chi Shing, Kong Foo Keung, Wong Gwan Hong
Running Time: 89 min.
By Joe909
Like “Too Many Ways To Be No. 1,” The Odd One Dies was written by that mad genius Wai Kai-Fai. However, whereas “Too Many Ways” is known for its breakneck pace and large cast of characters, The Odd One Dies is a slower affair, concentrating only on the two main characters. That’s not to say that the movie isn’t as original or entertaining as “Too Many Ways,” as there are just as many chaotic situations and comedic moments in this movie. They just don’t come at you every second.
Takeshi Kaneshiro plays a stubborn gangster who takes a job from his Indian contract. The job: to kill a Thai triad boss. Takeshi blows his upfront payment on a junky car and an old, bulky cell phone. Then he goes to a gambling house and proceeds to win a sickening amount of cash. In a highly-unique twist on these sort of stories, Takeshi now finds himself with so much cash that he no longer needs to do the job he was hired for. So he hires a replacement killer: Carman Lee, who has been made to look so unattractive that you’ll barely recognize her. Takeshi and Carman (not sure if her character even had a name) go over the job and engage in several games with one another, punching waiters in the face, trying to escape hotel security, and cutting one another’s hair. Surely enough, they gradually fall in love, but this doesn’t occur in a sappy, Hollywood-esque fashion; their relationship seems very natural and organic to the plot. In probably the most touching, yet subtle scene I’ve seen in a romantic comedy, Carman admits to Takeshi: “I’m quite fond of you.” Takeshi chuckles and says: “Me to.” It’s a small scene, but those are sometimes the best kind for moments like this.
There isn’t much action in the movie, so don’t expect a traditional Heroic Bloodshed-type film. Only a few shots are fired in the end sequence, but it’s still one of the most thrilling scenes in Milkyway history, as you are left burning with the desire to find out if the Thai’s killer survives the job. Takeshi and Carman’s final scene together, in which Takeshi gives Carman the Thai’s photo and an automatic Magnum, has an especially bittersweet twist that gets me every time.
Overall, I’d recommend The Odd One Dies if you’re looking for a different approach to the Heroic Bloodshed genre. It’s a little slow-moving at first, but the comedy is as dark as you can get (this movie probably sets a record with “Too Many Ways” in the amount of fingers that get sliced off of Triad rascals), and the music is catchy, if minimal. Direction is top-notch, as well: lots of bold colors on screen at all times, and shots of Takeshi looking cool. The scene in which he strikes various poses with the huge cell phone is especially funny. All told, you’ll probably enjoy this movie without once realizing what it really is: a heavily-disguised chick flick, Milkyway style.
Joe909’s Rating: 7.5/10
By FrankEinstein
I view The Odd One Dies as having two halves. One half is about a stoic pretty boy asshole who frequents nightclubs with garish colored lighting, poses runway-style with mobile phones and beats people up.
The other, later half, would be about this stoic pretty boy asshole meeting his female asshole counterpart, and their love affair. I think there was some stuff about assassinations in there, but what little dialogue there was in the film was translated into subtitles poorly and I had to read the sleeve a third way in to garner a clue as to what was going on.
But do I recommend it? On one hand, the annoying synthesized theme, blinding filters and obscure plot made finishing the movie a chore. I felt like I was watching a bunch of subplots from a better movie strung together by themselves. Half an hour into it, I thought I’d end up turning it off after not too long.
But after sticking with it a little while longer, a new character was introduced, turning this repetitive I don’t know what into a really weird love story. So eventually, you see, the characters proved endearing, some comedy proved effective, and even the theme became a little catchy. But my eyes are still bleeding from that damn red lighting.
The review pretty much ends here. It’s as shallow as the movie it reviews. I say the movie’s shallow, but that may not be fair. The subtlety that was meant to reveal a deep, redeeming story may have bounced off of my thick skull, or perhaps the lousy Mei Ah translation lost a little of the story. But then maybe it’s an art film that doesn’t really have to be about anything in particular, because artistes will accept anything if you tell them it’s chic.
But in the end, the two likeable lead actors held my interest with their chemistry, and I learned why Takeshi Kaneshiro is a star (it’s the hair.) To put a lid on the deal – I don’t get it. I still can’t see. But I liked it.
FrankEinstein’s Rating: 6/10
