Tag: Chinese cinema

Who’s Hiding Along The Shadow’s Edge (捕风追影) Really Depends On A Wider Release

Although not in wide-release, Jackie Chan’s The Shadow’s Edge shows a different side of this versitile actor, especially when we move away from the silly. It can be found as an EU release where it looks official rather than be a bootleg.

The Shadow's Edge
Coming soon to Amazon Prime (IJD) and 4K in select territories

There are a lot of conspiracies in play in Jackie Chan’s The Shadow’s Edge (捕风追影). This film received limited screenings during its debut last year, and like other movies from China recently, not everything is getting a proper North American release. It’s a shame, because out of the latest crop of films from this entertainer, this one has to be the most gangster of them all.

As Wong Tak-chong, a retired cyber-intelligence agent, Chan may be the only person able to locate Fu Lung-sang (Tony Leung Ka-fai), a godfather to a gang of thieves who commit a mix of heists and cybercrimes.

Joining Wong is the lovely rookie He Qiuguo (Zhang Zifeng), whose inexperience may well let this group get away. While Wong teaches her the ropes and poses as her father during an undercover operation, the pair figure out that a certain neighbour may well be this ruthless crime lord. I can see why Zhang is regarded as one of the New Four Dan actresses of the post-95s generation. She delivers doe-eyed naivety in droves, but when the moment comes to bring down Fu and earn her cred as an agent, even I cheered!

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Fans of Chan Can Find Unexpected Family (过家家) Delivering A Different Side of Him to Cry For

Jackie Chan trades swagger for vulnerability in Unexpected Family, a warm slice-of-life drama where mistaken identity becomes a lifeline. As an elderly man’s memory fades and a stranger slips into the role of “son,” the film finds its power in small moments, quiet grief, and the kind of belonging people build when they need each other most.

Chinese Family Jackie Chan PosterJackie Chan isn’t quite his usual self in Li Taiyan’s quietly charming story about an Unexpected Family coming together. Ren Jiqing (Chan) is losing his memories due to age. He is often unsure who is whom, and seeing him not rise to the occasion, instead playing a befuddled role, is rather amazing. Instead of turning on the charm, he has to dial back the athleticism we know him for.

It’s easy to sympathize with him when Bufan (Peng Yuchang) drifts into town looking for work, only to be mistaken for the old man’s estranged son, Zhuangzhuang. There’s gentle humour woven into this slice-of-life drama, released during Chinese New Year. The festive backdrop contrasts the passage of time as we watch Jiqing slowly deteriorate. It’s heartbreaking, and even when I caught myself thinking, “oh, he knows,” what follows still had me reaching for the tissue box.

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