The Wild Goose Lake

Dir. Diao Yinan 113 Minutes

China

2019

Starring: Ge Hu, Lun-Mei Kwei, Fan Liao, Regina Wan

***1/2/***** A warring set of factions within an underworld gang of motorcycle thieves ignites the relentlessly paced, grim, and frenetic The Wild Goose Lake. With frames drenched in pouring rain, lit in neon colors, and caked with plenty of blood, the film is an extended chase as Zhou Zenong evades many following the placement of a large bounty on his head. He is aided by the mysterious "bathing beauty" Liu Aiai, sent to deliver a message by Zhou's wife. Also hunting Zhou are the police following his accidental shooting of one of their own. Director Diao Yinan is marvelous at crafting individual set pieces, with moments of extreme violence punctuating already exciting set pieces (an early and very surprising decapitation sets the tone for a nearly constant expectation of similar violence). As a result, it is slightly frustrating when the narrative gets a bit unwieldy and convoluted, with a few too many layers of plot that get in the way of these beautifully choreographed sequences. But Yinan makes up for this with some remarkable visual moments, as early as the initial brawl that sets these events in motion which is kinetic, electric, and, thanks to the inclusion of a well timed bite of a cucumber, a little absurdist. Amongst all the chaos, Yinan keeps the black humor flowing, but always through a well-timed edit or composition over a cheap piece of dialogue or grotesque character (a personal favorite being a crowd of people forming during a particularly intense moment all wearing large shoes covered in lights). The film ends less on an action high than a more bleak, bureaucratic piece of commentary, but its an odd series of uniquely crafted sequences on its way there. It is only too bad that some of the detours throughout feel slightly like padding at times where it should feel lean. September 29th, 2019