Dip huet seung hung: The Killer

"You're an unusual cop."
"Well, you're an unusual killer."

Ah Jong (Yun-Fat) is an assassin with a conscious. During a job, he accidentally injures a singer named Jennie (Yeh), who begins to lose her vision. Because he cares for her and feels guilty about her condition, Ah Jong decides to do one final job to pay for an operation to restore Jennie's sight. After completing the job, Ah Jong rescues a young girl caught in the middle of a shoot out, literally. This action is noticed by the cop tracking him, Li (Lee), and the Triad who were doing the shooting.

As the story continues, Ah Jong and Li have a mutual admiration for each other as they try to protect Jennie and stay one step ahead of the Triad who are tracking their progress.


This film was my introduction the Hong Kong cinema. One of the most memorable aspects of this film is the relationship between the two male leads. They have similar personality traits / ideals, but are on opposite sides of the law. This is best illustrated in Jennie's apartment (a "Mexican Standoff") as the two men aim guns at the other, but continue to adjust their movements and speech to keep Jennie from knowing the truth (that Ah Jong is a killer). Some people see a homoerotic relationship between the two (the music is romantic when they are together), but I don't think that was director John Woo's intention.

The Killer is heavy in symbolism, such as the final shootout in the church (and he has a fascination with the dichotomy between black and white). The character of Fung Sei (Kong) is also interesting. He is friends with Ah Jong and shares his profession, but not his ideals. The difference between Ah Jong's relationships, and the way the different ways the other characters react to him gives him depth and in spite of his profession, you (the audience) want him to find redemption.

--: this is a very violent film. There is blood, lots of death (120 according to imdb.com), so it is like most action films
--: I would recommend the film, you have to read subtitles, but it is worthwhile

~ for more information check out Hong Kong Film Net ~

The Killer [Dip huet seung hung] (1989) 111 minutes
Rating: R for pervasive strong violence and some language
Director: John Woo
Starring: Chow Yun-Fat as Ah Jong (Jeff)*
Danny Lee as Inspector Li Ying
Sally Yeh as Jennie
Chu Kong as Fung Sei (Sydney)*

*The English subtitles change Ah Jong's name to Jeff or John, and his friend Fung Sei becomes Sydney.