The fine folks at Eureka have brought Johnny To and Wai Ka-fai’s unique spiritual crime thriller Running on Karma a stack Blu-ray release.
The Film
Andy Lau in a muscle suit playing a bodybuilder/stripper. It’s not something you automatically think of as the beginning of a film that dives into Buddhism’s view on karma. Both a crime film and a spiritual treatise on the cyclical nature of life, Running on Karma is a truly unique cinematic experience. One that could have only come from the collaboration between co-directors Johnny To and Wai Ka-fai.
What begins as desperate storylines comes together as many souls from past lives collide to see if those have a chance to make things done wrong right. All centered around Big or Biggie (Lau) who once was a Buddhist Monk who rejected the doctrine after he realized he could see people’s past lives. Wanting none of the power and responsibility – karma finds its way back into Biggie’s life in the form of an undercover cop Fung-yee (Cecilia Cheung). As Biggie and Fung-yee’s lives intertwine Biggie knows that there is a price to pay. That price is too steep for Biggie and must confront this whether he likes it or not.
To and Wai have created a nervy narrative that may at first seem melodramatic but fits wonderfully and radically into the Buddhist doctrine of love for all beings and forgiveness. The way the duo melds these ideas into the form of a crime film is as ballsy a narrative this reviewer has ever seen. To play with both violence and the depths of what karma means on a fundamental level taking both in the form of a crime thriller and a ponderous theological drama could have been a recipe for disaster. Somehow the film’s earnestness for both and settling on a tone that is consistently supernatural leads to a film that works surprisingly well.
Running on Karma and its success will depend on one’s acceptance of the general conceit and Lau’s performance in a muscle suit. For this reviewer, after a few moments, the adjustment was made. Many will find this a stumbling block but if one can find a way around it, Running on Karma could be a truly wonderful and unique discovery. One that you will not soon forget.
The Transfer
The all-new 2K restoration provided by Fortune Star to Eureka is another winner from the label. The handsomely sharp image has been beautifully restored, the result being a handsome Blu-ray that’s lightyears ahead of the previous import versions (as it has not been available outside of Asia). There isn’t a fault or issue with the image, not a scratch or defect, not any digital issues like artifacting or ghosting.
The Extras
They include the following;
- New Audio commentary by East Asian film experts Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and F.J. DeSanto
- Audio commentary by East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
- Reap the Whirlwind
- Archival “making of…” featurette
- Trailer
The all-new audio commentary by East Asian film experts Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and F.J. DeSanto begins with their bondafides and how they did the DVD commentary track for this film 20 years ago. Some of the details include the literal titles in Hong Kong; the release of the film in HK; the box office success of the film; the mainland Chinese version that was radically cut because of censorship; their respective favorite Johnnie To film – which this is DeSanto’s second favorite film; how the SARs Pandemic in 2003 affected the production; the awards it was that it was nominated for at the Hong Kong film awards (HK’s equivalent of the Oscars) – and the ones that it won and the other film that To directed that it was in competition with; a much larger discussion of the themes of karma and the look at Buddhism throughout and how it plays out overall and through individual scenes, story points, characters, et. al.; and much more. Djeng and DeSanto deliver a unique commentary track for this very unique and special film. This track required listening after watching the film. The track gives you a great appreciation and understanding of the themes of this film that are tied to a culture and religion that many may not be familiar with.
The second audio commentary is a lone track done by East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival). Some of the details include some of the details that were in the track that DeSanto appears in – including production details, release dates, box office details, awards lauded on the film, et. al.; a discussion of actor Cecilia Cheung’s career and personal history; a discussion of the various films that Johnnie To directed and his personal favorites from the director; a discussion of actor Andy Lau’s career and what makes this role so special in his filmography; a larger discussion throughout of the various actors appear in the film; and much more. The track does have some cross-over with the one with DeSanto though there is, this track is much more in line with Djeng’s normal informative tracks about the production itself.
Reap the Whirlwind (24:52) – in this all-new interview with Gary Bettinson, editor-in-chief of Asian Cinema journal discusses not just Running on Karma but dissect the working relationship between co-directors Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai. Beginning with the formation of their production company – Milky Way Image – their specialization in dour crime dramas and how their lack of success started a new production model of commercial work followed by non-commercial artistic endeavors. The way that To and Wai worked together developed and produced their work. Eventually discussing in detail Running on Karma – the film, the production, the reception, the film’s intent, the films, the use of the muscle suit, references (including one of A Moment of Romance), the style and tonal shifts, and much more.
Archival “making of…” featurette (18:39) – a surprisingly in-depth featurette looking at the characters, themes, actors, and production of this unique film. The making-of documentary features comments by everyone in the production from co-directors Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai; Screenwriter Yau Nai Noi; actors Andy Lau, and Cecilia Cheung; and more. In Cantonese with English Subtitles.
Original Theatrical Trailer (1:18) – In Cantonese with English Subtitles.
The Final Thought
Running on Karma is a unique film even in Johnnie To’s filmography. Eureka has treated it as such. High recommendations!