Synopsis: Mr Wu, a Hong Kong movie star, is visiting Beijing when he finds himself the victim of a kidnapping after a group of men pose as cops. Although the kidnappers are fans of his work, they mean business and hold the star to ransom which results in some drastic consequences. (106 Mins)

 

Views: Ding Sheng's 2015 dark-drama is an interesting piece for sure! The film is based on the true story of popular Chinese actor Wu Ruo Fu's kidnapping that happened just a decade earlier, and saw him held for ransom for 21 hours before being rescued by the police. But what caught me off-guard about this film, was the fact that Wu Ruo Fu co-stars as one of the cops leading the rescue. Originally offered the role of 'himself' before Andy Lau, the real Mr. Wu turned it down - no doubt refusing to go through the trauma once again that left his psychologically shook up. Regardless, it was brave enough of him to take on any role as I'm sure that both shooting and watching the film proved to be a gut-churning experience. Cramming 21 hours into 106 minutes, director Ding Sheng provides a tense and well-knitted piece that recounts the events of 2004, telling the story of the actors kidnapping by the gang of ruthless criminals, and the police team who worked tirelessly to save him!

 

Told in a non-linear fashion with a narrative that has become typical of Sheng, Saving Mr. Wu is a cleverly constructed thriller that flits between the present and past events during Wu's kidnapping, often slipping in theoretical scenes of what might have happened as the police try to piece things together or Wu ponders ways to get out of the situation. I've always been a big fan of Ding Sheng as a director since catching The Underdog Knight 1 & 2 and awesome Jackie Chan flick, Little Big Soldier, as well as Police Story 2013 and Railroad Tigers respectively. While I have yet to see his remake of John Woo's A Better Tomorrow, Saving Mr. Wu is the latest of his short filmography that I have had the pleasure of seeing. As the titular Mr. Wu, Andy Lau does a stellar job in playing the victim – shedding all his usual coolness to spend the majority of the movie wrapped in chains and taking beatings. While his character is based on that of co-star Wu Ruo Fu, there are definitely a few changes there such as him being an actor from Hong Kong etc – even going as far as making one of the kidnappers state that they watched him in God Of Gamblers. During his ordeal, Wu is imprisoned with a rich boy called Dou who has also been kidnapped for ransom, with the star offering to pay his fee in order to save his life. Dou is played by Cai Lu who I've only ever seen in Sheng's Police Story 2013, although he has went on to become a sought after television actor in China. As mentioned, the real Wu Ruo Fu stars as Cao Gang, the police captain determined to save Wu and catch the kidnappers. Given his background and connection with the project, Wu does a great job in what would be his first feature film since the mid-90s. He stars alongside the brilliant Liu Ye, star of Ding Sheng's brilliant Underdog Knight 1 & 2. Starting his film career at the turn-of-the-century with small roles in Postmen In The Mountains and Team Spirit, Liu went on to star in titles such as The Floating Landscape, Curse Of The Golden Flower, Blood Brothers, Connected, City Of Life & Death, Police Story 2013, The Last Supper, and so much more. The wonderful Lam Suet pops up yet another extended cameo, playing the business friend and Andy's who must deliver the ransom money for his return, but it has to be the fantastic Wang Qian Yuan who steals the show as the ruthless leader of the kidnappers. Wang started his film career with a brief role in the Chinese drama Winner in 1996, before charging in a few years later with The Ring Of The Hill and a number of hit television shows. While more film roles came over the years, it would be his performance in Lu Yang's epic Brotherhood Of Blades that really got everyone's attention. From there, Wang would secure roles in Ann Hui's Golden Era, John Woo's The Crossing 1 & 2, Peace Breaker, Sky Hunter, Shadow, The Eight Hundred (my favourite film of 2020), and Saving Mr. Wu obviously. As kidnapper Zhang Hua, Wang delivers a fantastic performance that emits so much tension and dedication, the audience just doesn't know what to expect from him with every move.

 

While the most of the film is driven with some great drama, there are a few great shoot-outs and chases on offer. These are handled by He Jun; a recognisable actor, stuntman and choreographer who has worked under the watchful eye of Jackie Chan in films such as The Medallion, Around The World In 80 Days, Shanghai Knights, New Police Story, The Myth, Rob-B-Hood, Chinese Zodiac, The Karate Kid, Little Big Soldier, and Railroad Tigers – with the latter 2 starting his relationship with Ding Sheng of course. Director Of Photography, Ding Yu, also returns to work with Sheng again after capturing The Underdog Knight 1 & 2, Little Big Soldier, and Police Story 2013 for him. After working on Railroad Tigers straight after, it would be a few years later before Yu would be behind the camera on another feature – shooting the gorgeously captured and exciting Battle At Lake Changjin 1 & 2 for directors Tsui Hark, Dante Lam, and Chen Kaige. For Saving Mr. Wu, he is joined by cinematographers Deng Jun and Chao Ming, both of which have followed him on his journey for the most part, with the trio using a lot of hand-held shots that help build the tension and set the tone for the story. I really enjoyed Saving Mr. Wu and only wish I had seen it sooner. The final 10 minutes around the rescue is well-captured and emotional, with Andy bringing a lump to the throat when he comes face-to-face with his old friend (Suet). It was also neat to see the footage of the real operation screened over the end credits!

 

Overall: Tense, well-acted, captivating and emotional, Saving Mr. Wu is a fantastic film and well worth the watch!