Smiling Gangster
Smiling Gangster

Movie spotlight

Smiling Gangster

2009
Movie
94 min
Thai

A former Mafia boss Song gets out of jail and wants to get revenge on one of his gang members, Tai, who married the woman that he loved 20 years ago.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Director: Herman YauGenres: Action, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A corrupt police inspector, Wong (Simon Yam), becomes entangled in a dangerous web of crime and deceit. As he delves deeper into the criminal underworld, he finds himself caught between his ambition and his conscience. The film follows his increasingly desperate attempts to navigate a treacherous landscape where loyalty is scarce and betrayal is rampant, leading to a violent and ultimately tragic conclusion.

Critical Reception

Smiling Gangster received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of its lead actors, particularly Simon Yam, and the film's gritty atmosphere. However, some critics found the plot to be somewhat convoluted and predictable, and the film's violence was noted as being particularly brutal.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Simon Yam's compelling performance as a morally compromised cop.

  • Noted for its intense and often brutal depiction of crime and corruption.

  • Some viewers found the narrative to be derivative and lacking in originality.

Google audience: Audience reception for Smiling Gangster is not widely documented on Google, making it difficult to summarize specific likes or dislikes. However, general sentiment suggests a divided audience, with some appreciating the dark themes and action, while others found it to be a standard crime thriller.

Fun Fact

The film is notable for its bleak portrayal of Hong Kong law enforcement and the pervasive corruption within the system.

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