Ringo Lam forms the third part of the Hong Kong triumvirate, the other two being John Woo and Tsui Hark. The Suspect is certainly darker than any of Woo’s films, and when compared with the Hark and Woo and films I’ve seen, it certainly doesn’t contain the same amount of style.
The acting is passable, but most of it is way to passive, especially considering the dark topics of betrayal, political machinations, and whatnot that the film focuses on.
Louis Koo plays Don Lee, a man just released from prison and wanting to go straight. The story gets clichéd from there. Of course, his former life won’t let him go, as past allegiances make demands of him. After a political candidate is assassinated, Lee becomes the primary suspect. Accompanied by a beautiful journalist (naturally) played by Ada Choi, he strives to prove his innocence, as well as leave his old life behind.
The plot certainly takes many turns, but they’re all obvious, and there’s even a plot hole or two that hinders the film. Overall, not terrible, but not really that good either.