Sparrow - 文雀

Sparrow (文雀) is 2008 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Simon Yam, Kelly Lin, and Gordon Lam.

The movie is about a group of 4 pick pockets working in Hong Kong. Simon Yam is the leader of this group. The film begins with a "day in the life" sort of preview of these 4 guys. Enter Kelly Lin. Kelly Lin is from the mainland and currently in a relationship with an wealthy old guy. It's never explicate that they are married. But this old guy has her passport and has his men watch her 24/7. Kelly Lin approaches these 4 guys to help her steal her passport back so she can go back to the mainland.

The movie runs a little like a caper movie with a few twist here and there. One thing I liked about this film is its heavy use of old colonial style buildings. It's as if Johnny To wanted to transfer you to the early 1900s. The backdrops contain the modern high rises, but the people live in the old style buildings.

The movie was quite slow and had me thinking the whole time. I don't think it did well at the box office in HK.

It is not your typical Johnny To film, so be prepared.