Rating: R
Genre:
Romance
Theatrical Release: 06/06/2003(USA
Release Date: 10/28/2003
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time: 104 Minutes
Flags: Adult Situations, Not For Children
Distributor/Studio: Kino
This contemporary
film noir is an international endeavor with key creative forces hailing from China, Germany, and the United States. It is based on the Chinese novel
Yoban shi huoyan she hai shu (Fire and Ice) by subversive writer
Wang Shuo, who has been called a "corruptor of youth" by critics in his native land. German screenwriter/director
Peter Sehr fell in love with the novel and chose to adapt it as a film set in New York City. For
Sehr, the location best represents a contrast of "people and light" that compliments the film's subject matter, a dark love story between a brilliant biology student and a master swindler.
Claire is a good girl living a mundane lifestyle until she meets literature-quoting con man,
Jack. Although
Jack normally despises relationships, he's attracted to
Claire's innocence and allows a romance to blossom. But when a detective begins closing in on a his latest caper, he's forced to give
Claire the cold shoulder. Heartbroken,
Claire starts down a spiraling road of self-destruction that's often painful to watch. Performance highlights are
Adrien Brody as
Jack, and
Pam Grier in a tough-lady role reminiscent of
Jackie Brown.
~ Connor McMadden, All Movie Guide
;)
