This Hong Kong-set crime drama follows the lives of a hitman, hoping to get out of the business, and his elusive female partner.This Hong Kong-set crime drama follows the lives of a hitman, hoping to get out of the business, and his elusive female partner.This Hong Kong-set crime drama follows the lives of a hitman, hoping to get out of the business, and his elusive female partner.
- Awards
- 8 wins & 15 nominations
- The Killer's Agent
- (as Michele Reis)
- He Zhiwu's father
- (as Chen Man Lei)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe character He Zhiwu, who is mute but able to communicate with the audience through narration, tells us he became mute after eating a tin of pineapple with a past expiration date. A character in the earlier Kar-Wai Wong film, Chungking Express (1994), is obsessed with the expiration dates on tins of pineapple. In addition, they are both named He Zhiwu (though the character in Chungking Express (1994) is a cop, and the character in this film is a former criminal) and both are played by the actor Takeshi Kaneshiro. Also his cop number and prisoner number are the same.
- Quotes
He Zhiwu: Most people fall in love for the first time as teenagers. I guess I'm a late bloomer. Maybe I'm too picky. On May 30, 1995, I finally fell in love for the first time. It was raining that night. When I looked at her, I suddenly felt like I was a store. And she was me. Without any warning, she suddenly enters the store. I don't know how long she'll stay. The longer the better, of course.
- ConnectionsEdited into A Moment in Time (2010)
- SoundtracksKarmacoma
Written by Tricky, Robert Del Naja, Andrew Vowles, Grant Marshall, Tim Norfolk and Bob Locke
Performed by Massive Attack
The characters are the focus as they each tell their stories. Literally, the title "Fallen Angels" gives you an idea of their plight. The film doesn't glorify the criminal lifestyle and shows aspects like isolation and loneliness. It's funny how the killer even tries to imagine how happy he'd be trying to live a "normal" life working a 9 to 5. Unfortunately, life's placed him in his predicament and must deal with the ramifications of it. Add to it his agent (played by knockout Michelle Reis) who is really enigmatic in this one. Her scene at the jukebox is one that displays the pain, agony, and confusion that she is going through. Plus, that song is like joy and torture for her at the same time!
Then, there is He. A man of few words who's story may be one of the most moving. Who could've thought a video could be so powerful and sentimental? This may be one of the most strangest, complex, yet fascinating characters I've ever onscreen. His silent nature, line of work (which is the oddest form of coercion I've ever seen!), and his struggles are really played well by Takeshi Kaneshiro, especially his scenes with his dad.
Wong Kar Wai's direction really makes the film. I really loved the dark, trippy music soundtrack which helped glaze on a slick, surreal coating. It sounds like something that would've been produced by Tricky, Massive Attack, or Portishead. While this may not have a bloody, high body count, the story told here makes this such a worthwhile movie and can be appreciated after repeated viewings.
- InzyWimzy
- Sep 29, 2003
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Đọa Lạc Thiên Sứ
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $163,145
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $13,804
- Jan 25, 1998
- Gross worldwide
- $252,415
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1(original ratio)