Two months ago, when Xiao Cui decided to open a public account and talk about Hong Kong movies, the first movie that came to mind was "A Better Tomorrow."

However, I never had the courage to write.

Xiao Cui believes that when writing film reviews, it is best to write about bad movies, followed by good ones. The most difficult thing to write about is the classic movies that have been baptized for a long time and are still shining brightly.

Because this type of film often has the widest influence and the largest audience, it also has the most detailed comments, interpretations, and analyses. It is difficult to break out of the stereotypes of predecessors and write new ideas.

Just like "A Better Tomorrow".

This film, released in 1986, has long become one of the masterpieces of Hong Kong cinema, and its classics need no elaboration. For Xiao Cui personally, "A Better Tomorrow" is the Hong Kong movie that has had the deepest impact on me, bar none.

With a movie like this, there's always something to write about.

In this article, Xiao Cui tries not to look up information or pile up data. Instead, as an ordinary movie fan born in the 1980s, he talks about the shock and emotion that "A Better Tomorrow" brought to me.

1

The producer of "A Better Tomorrow" is Tsui Hark.

Xiao Cui believes that Tsui Hark is the best among Hong Kong directors and even Chinese directors who combines martial arts spirit with literati temperament.

Therefore, this gangster story that takes place in modern times also has a chivalrous flavor.

Betrayal, tolerance, revenge, redemption, growth... are still commonly used elements in martial arts movies, except that the gown is replaced by a suit, and the long sword in his hand becomes a pistol.

Of course, the chivalrous spirit of "A Better Tomorrow" is not a feeling of compassion for the country and the people, but an elegy of morality and a hymn of brotherhood.

Brotherhood is the subject matter that director John Woo is best at.

Tsui Hark and John Woo *** jointly constructed the spiritual core of "A Better Tomorrow", while the external performance is more of John Woo's style.

As we all know, John Woo is a master of violent aesthetics. His style had not yet been fully established at that time, but it gave the film a distinct imprint.

The most famous one is the battle scene at Maple Grove. Under the cheerful background music, Xiao Ma is holding a dancer in his arms. He is charming and charming, but while teasing, he hides a pistol in a flower pot, hiding murderous intent.

Then, the screen slowly opened, the smile slowly faded, the music stopped, gunshots rang out, and blood splattered.

Compared with the excessive force in the later "Infinite Bullets" and the classic symbol of the church dove, the violent aesthetics of "A Better Tomorrow" not only left a deep impression on people, but also perfectly integrated with the plot. To dominate the guests.

In short, it’s just right.

2

"A Better Tomorrow" is a man's movie through and through. The only heroine Zhu Baoyi only serves as a "vase" to connect the plot.

All stories and conflicts revolve around the "three major male protagonists".

Among the three male protagonists, Ti Lung is the first to star, but the most popular character is "Little Ma" played by Chow Yun-fat.

Is it because Ponyboy is the coolest and most handsome? Maybe. At that time, Ti Lung looked a little old, Leslie Cheung was still young, and Chow Yun-fat was in his prime, showing his charm. After the film was released that year, the look of trench coats and sunglasses quickly became popular among young people. It is said that even black trench coats in South Korea were sold out for a time.

However, the deeper reason is people's recognition of the character of Ma Ge.

Song Zihao, Xiao Ma Ge, and Song Zijie, the three protagonists are all heroes, but the only one who truly sticks to his true colors is Xiao Ma Ge.

Song Zihao, played by Ti Lung, was disheartened by a series of events such as being framed, his father’s tragic death, and being imprisoned. He just wanted to be an ordinary person.

However, in line with the old saying, "You can't help yourself when you are in the world." On the one hand, there is the coaxing and intimidation of his former subordinates, and on the other hand, there is the hatred and suspicion of his younger brother. The ordinary life of this gangster brother , hard and bitter.

Song Zijie, played by Leslie Cheung, is young and innocent, and sees the world in black and white. After so many years of not knowing his brother's true identity, once he found out, his strong love turned into deep-seated hatred. In order to prove himself, he performed childish and impulsive behaviors one after another.

They are heroes and ordinary people.

But Brother Ma is different.

He did not complain or hurt himself, nor did he hesitate. His belief has always been firm: I must get back what I lost!

Disability, poverty, humiliation, inducement, and beatings could not shake his faith at all.

He does not agree with Song Zihao's decision to "be an ordinary person", but respects his choice.

He gave Brother Hao a slap in the face, who was resigned to the situation.

To Ajie, who was blinded by hatred, he spoke mercilessly and straight from his heart:

On the surface, he is cynical and playful, but he always sticks to his beliefs and endures hardships. Unwavering, asking for nothing in return for his friends, stabbing them at every opportunity, and even helping them get out of the fog and get out of trouble, Xiao Ma is exactly such an ideal image of a man, as he said in Thean Hou Palace:

What is commendable is that such a "high-level" character does not appear fake, which is largely due to Chow Yun-fat's acting skills.

For example, in the scene where the brothers reunited in the parking lot, when Xiao Ma saw Brother Hao, he was surprised, excited, aggrieved, and at a loss... Although there was no line, thousands of words were written on his face. . It's a textbook performance.

Perhaps it was because Pony was so perfect that he had to arrange for his death. Even at the moment before his death, what he was thinking about and speaking about was still a brother and a friend.

3

"A Better Tomorrow" is a movie about frustration, both inside and outside the movie.

At that time, John Woo was unappreciated for his talents and was extremely angry, so he vividly portrayed the frustration and melancholy of the protagonists as they wandered around the world.

At that time, Ti Lung was carrying a letter of resignation from Shaw Brothers and could not see the future direction. The "most beautiful young man in Hong Kong" who has played countless heroic roles is now over forty, his appearance is gradually fading, and his hairline is getting further and further back.

"I haven't been a big brother for a long time!" This line from Brother Hao in the film is not Ti Lung's helpless monologue?

Chow Yun-fat, who was known as "Poison Hair" at that time, was even more eager to prove himself. "I've been unlucky for three years, just waiting for an opportunity!" was Ma Ma's heroic words, and it was Chow Yun-fat's inner cry.

In the play, Brother Hao and Brother Xiao Ma paid a heavy price and finally won their lost dignity. Off-screen, the film was a huge success and the frustrated people finally proved themselves.

Life is like a play, and play is like life.

Four

Tell us two details that left a deep impression on Xiao Cui.

The first one was when Song Zihao was released from prison and just met Xiao Ma.

The pony lamely pushed the car through the underground parking lot.

On the wall of the parking lot, there are two big words "way out" written on it.

Where is the way out? One of the once all-powerful brothers has just been released from prison and has lost all his pride, while the other is disabled and makes a living by cleaning cars.

What way can these two people find a way out?

The short shot of two or three seconds brought the audience deep feelings and thoughts.

The second one is Song Zihao sending a tape to his brother’s girlfriend Jackie.

Jackie is instructing the children to practice chorus. The song is "Tomorrow will be better". The cheerful singing is in sharp contrast with the tragic atmosphere.

Song Zihao gave Jackie the tape recording the evidence of his eldest brother's crime and told her that he would leave Hong Kong tonight.

When Jackie asked him, will you come back? Brother Hao didn't speak, just smiled bitterly. There is too much sadness and helplessness in the smile.

Then he turned around and left, disappearing into the endless darkness amidst the childish voice of "Tomorrow Will Be Better".

Every detail can withstand scrutiny, which is the charm of classics.

Five

Over the years, I have watched "A Better Tomorrow" countless times.

When I was young, I liked Ponyboy's suave and righteous character, and I loved watching those fiery gunfight scenes.

As I grew older, I began to understand the brotherhood in the film, and became heartbroken and yearned for it.

Later, when he entered the society and was trapped in the workplace, he understood Song Zihao's helplessness. He even acted like Song Zijie, desperately doing some childish actions just to prove himself.

This movie reflects my mental journey to a certain extent.

Today, Ti Lung and Chow Yun-fat are both in their sixties, and Leslie Cheung has left us forever.

And in the dim video hall, in front of the small TV, the passionate young man who was excited about the brotherhood between Xiao Ma and Brother Hao had also experienced the warmth and coldness of human relationships, and began to He is used to hiding his emotions with a worldly smile on his face.

Fortunately, the light and shadow still exist; fortunately, the dream still exists.

As sung in the theme song of the film "Love of the Year":

When I look at you, the warmth in my eyes is electrified

In my heart, I have never dreamed of it before. Change

Today, I try to be side by side with you again

The love of the past is fresh again

?THE END