inspector ho (andy on) is currently investigating the case of a missing person and a string of robberies. the missing person is a cop, wong (lee gwok-lun), who went missing when he and his partner, chi wai (gordon lam), were investigating a case and they were separated in the middle of some woods. it has been eighteen months since this event and the string of robberies have included some where wong's police pistol has been used.

ho is at a complete loss; he simply cannot get any leads on either front. with nowhere else to turn, he turns to bun (lau ching-wan); a former cop, who despite having an amazing record of solving complex crimes, lost his job due to his bizarre methodology and questions about his mental health. bun can see the inner personalities of people and has a gift for seeing what others don't. ho hopes that he can apply these talents to his current cases...

now, the concept of the film sounds as if it could be an absolute disaster: it's a pretty out-there premise. still, in the steady hands of johnnie to and wai ka-fai and with a great performance from lau ching-wan, i didn't find myself questioning or struggling to suspend my disbelief at any time. next to andy oh's fine turn, as a straight cop who's willing to take a chance when all other avenues seem closed, lau puts in a great performance which skirts ever so well around sanity and madness, by cultivating an almost understated, off the wall, quality. to and wai craft a relatively simple tale, with the style that you'd expect from them shining through.

i also found myself being quite amazed at just how much of the milkyway building they managed to utilise during the production; both staircases, the goods lift, the street outside, and different floors of the building, decked out accordingly. when i visited the building, the second floor was still kitted out as the police station where chi wai was based: complete with signs, posters and the cell. funny...

great stuff...