Watch The Wasted Times

The Wasted Times is a 2016 Chinese historical thriller film directed by Cheng Er and starring You Ge, Ziyi Zhang, and Tadanobu Asano. The movie is set in Shanghai during the late 1930s, a time of political upheaval and tumultuous events. The film opens with an extraordinary scene on a stairwell of a massive and opulent building. The camera moves quickly from one expertly choreographed moment to the next as the violent outcome of a coup plays out. The opening sequence sets the tone for the rest of the film, with attention to detail, expertly choreographed action and a stylized, almost poetic sensibility.

The main character is Mr. Lu (You Ge), a powerful and wealthy businessman who has his finger in every pie, including the criminal underworld. Mr. Lu is portrayed as a man who can have everything he wants, including a beautiful and extravagantly dressed mistress (Ziyi Zhang) and a comfortable and privileged life. However, his past is catching up with him, and he must navigate old rivalries and hidden grudges as he tries to maintain his grip on power.

As Mr. Lu struggles to keep his own past and secrets hidden, he is confronted by other characters who also have dark and murky pasts. One of these characters is a Japanese spy named Iida (Tadanobu Asano), who has been sent to Shanghai to use Mr. Lu's connections to help the Japanese achieve their goals in the region. Despite their distrust of each other, Mr. Lu and Iida must work together to survive in a world that is rapidly growing more complicated and dangerous.

The Wasted Times has a complex and nuanced plot that can be challenging to follow at times. However, the film's writing is excellent, and the story never feels completely overwhelming or incomprehensible. Characters are fleshed out enough to feel real, and their motivations are usually clear, even if the details of their plans are vague. The 1930s Shanghai setting is gorgeous and the production design was well-executed. The costumes are elegant and lavish, conveying the wealth of the main characters and the era in which they live.

The Wasted Times also excels in its action scenes. The fight choreography is intense, and the action is fast-paced, with lots of quick cuts and fluid camera movements. The violence can be graphic at times, but never excessively so. The gunplay scenes are particularly effective, with a keen eye for detail and a focus on the impact of violence rather than the violence itself.

Acting in The Wasted Times can feel over the top at times, but the emotional intensity works well in the context of the story. You Ge's performance as Mr. Lu is excellent, portraying the character's conflicts, ambitions, and fears with simplicity and nuance. Ziyi Zhang is playing another version of Sayuri from Memoirs of a Geisha- a beautifully ornamented and dressed woman with a secret heart. Her performance is both vulnerable and fiercely determined, portraying the difficulties of life as a mistress of a powerful man. Tadanobu Asano's Iida is an intriguing character, full of contradictions and secrets that are slowly revealed as the movie progresses.

The Wasted Times is a film about power, love, and betrayal. Throughout the film, characters are forced to make difficult choices, often sacrificing their own integrity to get what they want. The film explores the dark side of human nature, showing how ambition and greed can drive people to do terrible things. However, the ending is not that strong, leaving some essential questions unanswered. Nonetheless, the overall effect of The Wasted Times is impressive- a well-made, well-acted, and beautifully shot thriller that is sure to entertain.

In conclusion, The Wasted Times is a thrilling, stylish movie with excellent production values and a great cast. While the story may be a bit convoluted at times, the film rewards those who stick with it, offering plenty of twists, turns, and surprises along the way. Fans of historical thrillers, action movies, and stylish noir dramas won't want to miss this one.

The Wasted Times is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.