Having recently revisited John Woo’s classic Hong Kong action film, Bullet in the Head, I was struck by its enduring quality. It had been well over a decade since my last viewing, back when Hong Kong cinema was a staple on television. This time around, the film’s superior craftsmanship was undeniable. True to Woo’s signature style, it’s a whirlwind of bloodshed, brotherhood, and intense gun battles. A young Tony Leung was incredibly charismatic, a quality he still possesses today. And Jacky Cheung’s acting was, as always, superb.
I stumbled upon a film review in a forum that resonated with me deeply. It captured the essence of what makes Bullet in the Head so unforgettable.
Echoes of the Past: A Review
The line, “Ah Fei, don’t you remember? Your mom beat your head so hard it broke?” delivered by Tony Leung to Jacky Cheung, was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
Years ago, I found Bullet in the Head to be somewhat lengthy and drawn out. Certain scenes felt claustrophobic, forcing a confrontation with the darker aspects of human nature, which made it difficult to watch. I didn’t think the film had left a lasting impression, but after watching a short four-and-a-half-minute clip recently, everything came flooding back – the beautiful, the tragic…
A Moment of Remembrance
“Three friends riding their bikes to the Hong Kong docks… Jacky Cheung trying to raise money for Tony Leung’s wedding, only to be attacked and left with a bloody head. He returns, still eager to celebrate with Tony Leung… Simon Yam covering Jacky Cheung’s head with his jacket, holding him down, and shooting him point-blank. The killer’s fingers are slender, long, and disturbingly clean.”
In the film, Jacky Cheung’s character’s head seems to be a magnet for misfortune. As a child, his mother would discipline him with a shoe. As an adult, he’s assaulted with a beer bottle by local thugs. And ultimately, he’s shot by a so-called friend, leaving him in a vegetative state, a fate worse than death. When Tony Leung finds him, he breaks down in tears. But when he looks up, Jacky Cheung is smiling through his own tears, signaling that he knows his end is near. Tony Leung’s resolve hardens, and he says, “I can’t bear to see you live like this, like a dog.”
Understanding the Ending
Upon re-watching, I finally understood the significance of the ending. Simon Yam grabs Tony Leung’s hand, directing the gun at Jacky Cheung’s head, saying, “If you shoot, we’ll be even.” The shot rings out, and Tony Leung reacts with a mix of shock and horror.
I now realize why the placement of the bullet was so crucial to all three characters. They shared an unspoken agreement: “To shoot a friend in the head is the ultimate betrayal, both to the friend and to oneself.” Thus, in the final moments, Jacky Cheung guides Tony Leung’s hand, placing the gun against his own chest. Tony Leung then shoots Simon Yam in the head, cradling his fallen friend with sorrow.
Movie Stills
