Peace Hotel

Who could anticipate that the last film Chow Yun-Fat would make in Hong Kong (to date) would be directed by a man who would become a key player in Milkyway Image Productions, a company responsible for some of the most creative crime films of the late 90’s? Director Wai Ka-Fai’s inexperience may peek through at times, but his sense of visual style is clearly his own (despite inevitable comparisons to Wong Kar-Wai). The plot, sets, and music borrow elements from classic American westerns and blend them into something truly unique. Chow Yun-Fat is able to maintain the peace of his hotel thanks to the legendary status of his own murderous exploits years before (he is called “The Killer”). He also has a standing policy of never evicting any resident. He is faced with the unenviable task of upholding his standard when the lying and slimy-yet-beautiful Cecilia Yip disturbs his calm existence. The result is not a collection of imitation John Woo gun battles (as you might expect) but rather a stylish dramatic take on manhood in the 20th century.