The Corruptor (1999) / Thriller-Action

MPAA Rated: R for strong violence, language and sexuality
Running Time: 110 min.

Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Mark Wahlberg, Ric Young, Paul Ben-Victor
Director: James Foley
Screenplay: Robert Pucci
Review published September 12, 1999

Deception, violence and betrayal corrupts the life of cops on the beat in New York's Chinatown district, where a war has broken out between competing Triads and local gangsters. The cops are bribed, but an undercover Internal Affairs officer is conflicted with his duty to the law and his loyalty to his partner.

This retread police drama would have been better suited as a movie-of-the-week than a major feature release. Yun-Fat and Wahlberg give compelling performances but the standard plot and derivative subject matter will leave most uninterested in the goings-on. Foley gives the film a stylish look, but a spicier script would have breathed life into what ends up being D.O.A. from the get-go. Even Yun-Fat fans may be tepid towards this one.

Qwipster's rating:

©1999 Vince Leo