if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Takes a couple of repeat viewings to really know what's going on, but this movie grows on you each time. A movie of character studies, without drum roll or fanfare, about characters who we expect to care less about in the beginning. Unpretentious and non self-conscious. Films this quiet and moving are rare. Hilarious if you are observant and paying attention to all the small moments. The main loser is played by Takeshi Kaneshiro, whom few expect to be a character actor. However, he couldn't be more natural. Every still moment, deep breath he takes, contemplative smoke, showed his incredible depth and range. It takes you by surprise because few character actors look this good. The dialog is well written and excellently sparse. The actress loser Carmen Lee was excellent though seemed more scripted than Kaneshiro, but they had some excellent interactive moments. Highly recommended for film viewers of any nationality, though Hong Kong is displayed in a much more narcissistic and seedy way than usual. This is a film about high self-esteem, the change in life that can come about even for a loser, if he had enough integrity and belief in himself.

This movie really surprised me. Maybe it's the quirky title, but I really know that Takeshi Kaneshiro is great in this one. His non-verbal acting is so expressive as the guy who says so much without speaking one word. Whether it's the blackjack game, getting beat(!) in mahjong, negotiating for a magnum, or his discussion with a hotel manager, Mo's facial expression shows he means business, but also displays a funny, even tender side. There are so times I was laughing out loud which only a handful of recent films have done. Then, there are some dark, serious scenes and even a touching romantic side to it. It is definitely great viewing and a good way to introduce yourself to Takeshi Kaneshiro, epitome of "cool". Then, try Fallen Angels if you like what you see.

This is actor/director Patrick Yau's first film to direct, and it is surprisingly good. He is certainly one of the most interesting and innovative action directors working in Hong Kong during the past few years. If you like this one, check out his other two films: Expect the Unexpected, and The Longest Night. In this movie (The Odd One Dies), Takeshi Kaneshiro is at his grungiest best as a lowlevel street punk with a real bad gambling habit, and a tendency to get the crap beat out of him by those higher up on the food chain. To raise some much-needed money, he accepts a $12,000 contract to kill someone. The night before the hit, he takes his deposit money and plays like a high roller in a game of blackjack, which he eventually wins big in. Because of the type of person he is "working" for, he is committed to do the job or die trying, so he decides to hire another hit man to do the job for him. The killer he ends up hiring is a woman, and she seems to be in worse shape than him (as far as being a general lowlife loser goes). He tries to help her out, and they end up getting romantically involved on the side. In the process of all this, he stumbles upon an understanding of the meanings of life and mercy, and more or less cures himself of his sociopathic mindset by becoming a sympathetic person toward those around him. This results in a major change in their attitudes, in that those same people (both bad ones and good ones) begin to like him instead of wanting to kill or kick him around. But there isn't too much moralizing. This is a great offbeat action-drama, and worth a repeat viewing. Even the music soundtrack features some pretty good light jazz/rock. I've enjoyed Takeshi Kaneshiro's work in other movies, but this is the first one that made me realize what a really good actor he is.

I saw this movie at last year's Fant-Asia film festival in Montreal and it was easily one of the most enjoyable films of the festival.I had seen Takeshi Kaneshiro in other films (Chungking Express,Dr. Wai and the Scripture Without Words, etc.) but this is the film that turned me into a true fan. If you don't know this man's work, you should.