Once a Thief (1991 film)
Once a Thief | |
---|---|
Directed by | John Woo |
Written by | John Woo Janet Chun Clifton Ko |
Produced by | Terence Chang, Linda Kuk |
Starring | Chow Yun-fat Leslie Cheung Cherie Chung Kenneth Tsang |
Cinematography | Poon Hang-sang William Yim |
Edited by | David Wu |
Music by | Violet Lam |
Production companies | Golden Princess Film Production Milestone Films |
Distributed by | Golden Princess Amusement |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
Country | Hong Kong |
Languages | Cantonese English French |
Once a Thief (Chinese: 縱橫四海; Literal Title: Criss-Cross Over Four Seas) is a 1991 Hong Kong caper film written and directed by John Woo, starring Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Kenneth Tsang and Paul Chu. The film was released on 2 February 1991.
Plot[]
The story is about three orphans and their two father figures. They are taken in by both a wealthy crime boss which leads to their close friendship, and a kind police officer. Nevertheless, the trio grows up learning high-tech methods of theft and specialise in stealing treasured paintings. After a heist in France goes awry, Red Bean Pudding is thought to be dead and James takes his place as Red Bean's lover. However, Pudding returns in a wheelchair, and the group begins planning their next heist for themselves, fall out of favour with Chow, and various complications and gun battles ensue.
Cast[]
- Chow Yun-fat as Red Bean Pudding/Joey
- Leslie Cheung as James
- Cherie Chung as Red Bean/Cheri
- Kenneth Tsang as Chow
- Paul Chu as Godfather
- Bowie Wu as Stanley Wu
- John Tang Yat-gwan as Young Red Bean Pudding
- Tong Ka-fai as Young James
- Leila Tong as Young Red Bean
- Declan Wong as Magician Henchman
- David Wu as Auctioneer
Release[]
The film grossed HK$33,397,149 in Hong Kong.[citation needed]
Columbia Tri-Star released it on DVD in the United States on 22 April 2003. It included no special features beyond trailers.[1] On 27 December 2004, Hong Kong Legends released a DVD in the United Kingdom.[2] Eight months later, on 5 September 2005, the John Woo Collection, a four-disc DVD set, was released. It includes the two action films Bullet in the Head and The Killer.
Reception[]
Scott Tobias of The A.V. Club wrote that Woo's style makes up for the film's implausibility and lack of logic.[3] Kevin Lee DVD Verdict wrote that the film has "a lack of focus and an uneven tone".[4] Chris Gould of DVDactive.com rated the film 5/10 and wrote that there was too much slapstick.[2] J. Doyle Wallis of DVD Talk rated it 2.5/5 stars and called it "an odd and annoyingly silly entry during [John Woo's] most creative period."[1]
Accolades[]
Accolades | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ceremony | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
11th Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Film | Once A Thief | Nominated |
Best Director | John Woo | Nominated | |
Best Actor | Chow Yun-fat | Nominated | |
Best Film Editing | David Wu | Nominated |
See also[]
- Once a Thief (1996), a Canadian television film remake starring with Nicholas Lea and Ivan Sergei that was later spun off into a television series of the same name which ran from 1997 to 1998. Both films were directed by John Woo.
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Wallis, J. Doyle (9 May 2003). "Once a Thief". DVD Talk. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Gould, Chris. "Chris Gould takes a look at the latest release from Hong Kong Legends, John Woo's action-comedy Once a Thief..." DVDactive.com. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ Tobias, Scott (6 May 2003). "Once A Thief (DVD)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ Lee, Kevin (19 June 2003). "Once A Thief". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
External links[]
- 1991 films
- 1991 comedy films
- 1990s buddy comedy films
- 1990s crime comedy films
- 1990s heist films
- 1990s martial arts comedy films
- Cantonese-language films
- Films about orphans
- Films about theft
- Films directed by John Woo
- Films set in Hong Kong
- Films set in Paris
- Films set in Vancouver
- Gun fu films
- Hong Kong films
- Hong Kong New Wave films
- Hong Kong buddy films
- Hong Kong crime comedy films
- Hong Kong heist films
- Hong Kong martial arts comedy films