鈕扣人 (Button Man) is a 2008 film out of Taiwan. The movie stars Francis Ng, Terri Kwan, Leon Dai, Ivan Huang, and Janet Lee.
The movie is about Francis Ng playing Wei, a button man. As the movie goes on to explain what that means. The button man is the guy that cleans up after the bad guys get through with someone. They go in there and wipe the area clean. They get the nickname, Button Man, because it is their job to button up the dead corpse. However, as the movie progresses, they refer to themselves as body collectors.
Wei is in a mutually beneficial relationship with a prostitute, Juan, played by Terri Kwan. Wei also harvest the organs of the corpse he cleans up and sells it on the black market with his partner, Doc, played by Leon Dai. During the first half of the film, Doc gets greedy and tries to take Wei's business. However, he harvests the organs of the nephew of a influential crime boss.
After Doc's death, Wei wants to get out. In comes Kid, played by Ivan Huang, a new recruit. Wei takes Kid under his wings and teaches him how to be a Button Man.
Wow, this film came out of left field for me. I wasn't expecting it and it blew me away. The movie moves pretty slowing, but its for a purpose and it totally drew me in. I didn't know what a button man was, and it reminded me of "The Wolf" from Pulp Fiction. But Wei does so much more.
It was also very gritty, especially when the bad things happened. But when authentic relationships were explored, it was usually in the day time.
This is a must watch for Taiwan movie fans. It's no HK flare, so stay away if you're looking for HK style.
Francis does it again with the hair and the ability to convoy his internal struggles.
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