No current geopolitical issue is as sensitive as US-Taiwanese relations. Thanks to its films relying on mainland Chinese box office, the subject became taboo for Hollywood. It was left to Taiwanese cinema to deal with it, albeit very indirectly, like in the case of Double Vision, 2002 action horror film directed by Chen Kuo-fu.
Protagonist, played by Tony Leung Ka-fai, is Huang Huo-tu, Taiwanese police detective who has exposed corruption in the force and is now, as unofficial punishment, relegated to foreign liaison tasks. His private life doesn’t fair any better, since his wife Ching-fang (played by Rene Liu) wants to divorce him while his young daughter never spoke a word since being involved in traumatic hostage situation. When series of bizarre murders starts happening in Taipei, one of the victims is foreign Christian preacher, also involved in arms trade between USA and Taiwan. The matter is delicate and Kevin Richter (played by David Morse), FBI agent specialised in handling serial killers, is brought from USA to offer his expertise to Taiwanese authorities. Huang Huo-tu, who can, unlike most of his colleagues, speak good English, is tasked to assist Richter. Two men begin to investigate and discover that method of killings is referencing Taoist concept of obtaining immortality and godlike powers and that perpetrators might be connected to Taoist cult that infiltrated local corporation. Huang Huo-tu, however, believes that killings involves supernatural forces, while Richter offers more rational explanation in form of hallucinogenic mushrooms that have affected victims and that might affect even the investigator’s perceptions.
While the elements of Double Vision plot show clear inspiration from past films – like dark serial killer thrillers inspired by Se7en, even darker Asian horror films inspired by Ringu, family drama“buddy cop” films like Rush Hour thrown to good measure – it is the very combination of those elements that looks very refreshing. Another addition is Taoist motives that give very local but interesting flavour to the film that became the most expensive film in history of Taiwanese cinema by that point. Script, co-written by Chen Kuo-fu and Su Chao-pin, deliberately refuses to give definite answer whether the macabre events are product of supernatural forces or have rational explanation. In doing that, script takes believer vs. sceptic dynamic among two protagonists that is obviously modelled on Mulder and Scully in The X-Files. This effect is helped by fine acting by Hong Kong star Tony Leung Kai-fa and David Morse, who became one of the rare major Hollywood actors to have prominent role in an Asian film. Chen Kuo-fu directs film well, while maintaining very dark tone, underlined by scenes of extremely graphic, shocking and potentially disturbing violence. All that could have resulted in very good, perhaps even extraordinary film if not for confusing and unsatisfactory ending. Despite that, Double Vision is film that could be recommended even to audience that doesn’t care much about unconventional genre films from exotic cinemas.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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