Johnnie To's works have often had disappointing human character,but in the "Sparrow" This took four years to pursue, his personal taste obviously works. I personally think that "Sparrow" has people enjoying the rhythm, especially the music, let you in this seemingly serious games of pickpocketing, seemingly relaxing and intoxicating. To this intoxicating feeling, I watched it 2 times.
Comparing the works of Johnnie in 1996, 1997 to 2008 under Milkyway image has been quite different. Its not only on the techniques and maturity has changed, but more of intellectually. Human despair is gone, and more from 2000 his characters has changed to a positive and encouraging heart of its characters."Election" ," "Exile" is the example, the expression of feelings is also no longer has sacrifices or Sadness, the action has the same Excitement. From the movie "exile" Johnnie began to show sudden twists in the plot .
"Sparrow" took four years to make , perhaps it is more clear that Johnnie's mood has also changed.The heroine is played by veteran in movies Kelly Lin whose scene with Simon sitting in the car crying out loud, and expressing the man's great interest on her is very dramatic and yet there is a comic twist to it. The change of mentality is the most important.
"Sparrow" is a very beautiful film, Johnnie in recent years was interested in making more-commercial films and art films, like a lot of quality art films can also be very business like. The business of film art is a very difficult thing, this type of film are very difficult to be favored in the arts festival, which is the opposite that has happened to Johnnie's movies,it scored alot of participation in the festivals. "Sparrow" has spent a lot of slow shots, the scenes where Kelly Lin "lures" Simon Yam, the last scene, the encounter in the rain,, is my understanding that the director felt for the people to enjoy this, this rhythm. " Sparrow " scene in the rain is really extra-ordinary and beautifully executed.
Johnnie in the "Sparrow" has demonstrated the "romantic" side has reached the level of elegance, Kelly Lin cons four men also took some mischievous plot, the scene in the elevator with a balloon, Lin jiadong stealing watches and so on, but wait until Simon Yam is riding on a bicycle in the streets with a camera on his hand, surveying the streets of Hong Kong has been unusually romantic,and at the end of the movie screen showcased its photographic view. Although the plot had nothing to do with nature but also in preserving it, "Sparrow"gives it the overall impression.
Source: Beijing News
Credit: AsianFanatics