Film Review: The Corruptor (1999)

In late 1990s Hollywood tried to make its own version of Hong Kong action films. In doing so, Hollywood studios were importing Hong Kong talents, either directors or stars, with varying degree of success. The Corruptor, 1999 action film directed by James Foley, represented the example of the latter.

Protagonist, played by Chow Yun-Fat, is Lieutenant Nick Chen, highly decorated NYPD detective who earned praise for successfully suppressing crime in his native Chinatown. What most of his superiors don’t or don’t want to know that much of that success comes due to symbiotic relationship with Henry Lee (played by Ric Young), lieutenant in local Chinese triad which is led by elderly “Uncle” Benny Wong (played by Kim Chan). This relationship made Chen rich, but also forced him to moonlight as assassin for Wong’s organisation in its war against Fukien Dragons, vicious street gang led by cruel Bobby Vu (played by Byron Mann). Things get complicated for Chen when he is given a new member of his squad, young and inexperienced Danny Wallace (played by Mark Wahlberg) who also happens to be the only non-Asian in the unit. Two men at first don’t trust each other, but their distrust disappears after few incidents when they save each other’s lives. But soon it turns that young detective too has some dark secrets of his own that could wreck his friendship with Chen. As gang war escalates, Chen’s and Wallace’s position is further compromised with federal investigation that would bring difficult moral dilemmas for both men.

Chow Yun-fat, Hong Kong actor who became international star thanks to John Woo’s action classics, tried to use his talent and charisma in Hollywood action films. And, just like in his previous film The Replacement Killers, such effort didn’t produce desired results. It is the least the fault of Chow Yun-fat, who works very hard to make his complex and morally challenged character into someone the audience can sympathise with or at least understand. Mark Wahlberg, young actor who took the role partly in order to atone for the racist crimes directed at Asians in his past, also does a decent job for which he even bothered to learn some Chinese. Unfortunately, script by Robert Pucci is weak and things are helped much by James Foley, director who seems more comfortable with serious dramas like Glengarry Glen Ross than with action genre. Pucci stuffing the script with as many action scenes as possible only makes Foley’s limitations more visible. Foley mishandles editing, which makes the film confusing at times, yet the plot is rather predictable. It is quite the shame because buried under those flaws was a film with potential to seriously explore issues like corruption, moral compromises and racial issues in modern America. Producers, however, only wanted standard Hong Kong-style action film. Chow Yun-fat with his great talent made this film watchable, but even as such, it shouldn’t be recommended to viewers who aren’t among his less demanding fans.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

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