Protegé

B

Directed by Derek Yee

Director Derek Yee takes a sobering look at drugs in "Protegé", crafting a surprisingly sensitive and thoughtful portrayal of the many destructive consequences of the narcotics trade.

Daniel Wu stars as Nick, a mole working undercover for the Hong Kong police, tasked with infiltrating a heroin trafficking ring headed by kingpin Quin (Andy Lau). Nick has been undercover so long, however, that Quin considers him practically his own son and, despite being commited to his original mission, Nick becomes gradually more entangled with Quin and his family as his time undercover drags on. When he begins a tentative relationship with a drug addicted neighbour named Fan, however, Nick finds his interest in dismantling Quin's drug empire suddenly and powerfully renewed.

"Protegé" eschews easy "drugs are bad" soapboxing to show the malevolence of the drug trade and the consequences to all those involved, both on the supply side and the demand side. Although "Protegé" isn't always a completely three dimensional or believable essay on junkies and those who make their habit possible, it's affecting nonetheless and unvarnished in a way that neither demonizes nor excuses the actions of drug users, demonstrating that even though substance abusers can kick their habit and turn their life around, it's not that easy to do. I think all effective films dealing with drug use are ones that can toe this line and show drug addiction for what it really is--not necessarily a death sentence but still incredibly powerful, life altering, and difficult to get rid of.

Yee should also be commended for using "Protegé" to showcase some of Hong Kong's best known acting talent in surprising and unconventional roles. Louis Koo, who most viewers may remember as the suave and intelligent gangster Jimmy in Johnny To's "Election" series, goes in a totally different direction here, starring as Fan's junkie, morally crapulent ex-husband. Andy Lau is also given a role that differs from his usual fare as a hunky cop/gangster/action hero, and is surprisingly believable as the aging criminal Quin.