The Conman

In "The Con Man," Andy Lau's usually impassive personality is just right for playing the role of King, a sharper who falls on hard times after his attempt to cheat a gangster at cards goes awry. When he gets out of prison after five years, his hair is a little whiter, his wife and child gone and his future dim. Whether the movie deals with King's associate, "Skinny Dragon" and his problem with a crooked cop nicknamed "Eastwood," or his associate's beautiful sister's (Athena Chu) problem with her boyfriend, the movie always stays interesting. The end, involving fixing the transmission of the World Cup soccer championship to a gambler's boat, has to be seen to be believed. While there is plenty of comedy on this movie, there is also some violence, especially at the start. This movie was popular enough that a sequel, "The Con Man in Las Vegas," is being filmed now. Charles Heung, the producer, has enough pull to be allowed to film for the first time in Caesars's Palace, according to a news report. Hmmm, maybe the other news reports linking Heung and his brother to the HK Triads are accurate.

"The Con Man" is a great starring vehicle for Andy Lau.