This is a well-made, intelligent drama about yearning, regret and memory, set in the seedy parts of Hong Kong populated by prostitues and small-time crooks. It stars Eric Tsang as a former Triad who returns to HK after 30 years of exile in Brazil to take revenge against his former triad rival and find and reunite with the love of his life (whom he had to abandon when he left). After all these years, he still carries with him a half-smoked cigaratte she gave him during their last encounter (hence the title, which means "half-smoked"). He runs into a street hustler called "Smokey" played by Nic Tse and hires him to help him find and kill his former rival.

The movie looks gorgeous and portrays a beautiful-looking, romanticized image of Hong Kong. Through flashbacks, we slowly learn the background story, only to then find out that some of the characters may not be what they seem...

There are a lot of cameos: Stephen Fung and Sam Lee play the young triads, Shu Qi is the object of beauty Eric Tsang tried to relocate, Kelly Chan is a police woman that Nic Tse is in love with, Anthony Wong features as a triad old-timer, and Sandra Ng plays a triad boss. All of these characters are lovingly portrayed, and the film weaves an interesting tapestry of human relationships that sucks you into this world. There's some action, but that's not the focus of the movie. If you like Peter Chan's moves, for example, like Comrades, then I would strongly recommend giving this one a try.