Vengeance (復仇). 2009. Hong Kong/France. Directed by Johnnie To. With Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet, Gordon Lam Ka-tung. Digital. Courtesy ARP Sélection. In Cantonese, English, French; English subtitles. 108 min.
In this brooding, neon-lit noir, Johnnie To acknowledges Western appreciation for his work by incorporating a legendary European star, the French pop idol Johnny Hallyday, as a Parisian chef seeking revenge for his daughter’s family, murdered in Macau. Teaming up with a trio of hitmen (To regulars Anthony Wong, Gordon Lam Ka-tung, and Lam Suet), he embarks on a quest complicated by his gradually fading memory. The film’s exploration of memory, identity, and the cyclical nature of violence is heightened by Christopher Doyle’s moody cinematography, creating a noirish atmosphere that permeates every frame. Vengeance stands as a pivotal work in To’s oeuvre, bridging his Hong Kong roots with his growing international acclaim.