Furie (2019) Movie Review

 

Furie (Original title: Hai Phuong) | 2019 | 1h 38m
Genre: Martial Arts/One-person Army Action/Action/Drama/Thriller | Country: Vietnam
Director: Le-Van Kiet | Writers: Le-Van Kiet, Kay Nguyen, Nguyen Truong Nhan
Cast: Veronica Ngo, Mai Cát Vi, Thanh Nhien Phan
IMDB: 6.3
My Rate: 7/10

Hai Phượng must fight to save Mai, her daughter who was kidnapped by gangsters, where she must race against time before her daughter is taken to be sold for her organs. However, the search is not an easy matter, because it requires reopening her dark past.

Warning:

Violent scenes, strong language, alcohol, and smoking.

 

Synopsis:

Hai Phượng lives in the suburbs with her daughter, Mai. Hai Phượng works as a debt collector, which naturally makes her many enemies. Society’s view of her is somewhat negative. Mai tries to make her mother stop working as a debt collector.

Hai Phượng plans to pawn her earrings to get money for Mai to build a fish pond. However, a commotion occurs where Mai is accused of taking a wallet from a market visitor. Feeling innocent, Mai runs away and sits by the riverbank. Meanwhile, Hai Phượng returns to the pawnshop to cancel the transaction she was about to make.

Suddenly, Hai Phượng hears Mai’s screams as she is taken by strangers using a boat. Hai Phượng tries to chase them by running, then riding a motorcycle. The chase is not easy because she is also blocked by the kidnappers’ gang. Hai Phượng manages to find them but is a little too late.

The kidnappers take Mai to Saigon, which slightly reveals Hai Phượng’s past. Hai Phượng was once a gangster member who controlled Saigon. Hai Phượng asks for information from her friend, but her friend does not want to take the risk.

Hai Phượng tries to report to the police. However, due to the slow process, Hai Phượng finally searches on her own using information stolen from the police office. Hai Phượng realizes the kidnapping syndicate plans to sell the organs of their victims. She must race against time to save Mai in time.

Will Hai Phượng be able to find Mai alive again?

 

Review:

Furie presents a story with quite impressive action scenes. The story idea is interesting and presented systematically, making it easy to understand. It raises a somewhat heavy theme that can also increase public awareness, namely about kidnapping and illegal organ trafficking.

The background story is built quite well. It begins with the introduction of the main character, showing the character’s traits and past. Then the child character, Mai, appears and shows the relationship between them. Additionally, we can see how society views their existence.

The conflict is presented very well with a quarrel that slightly shakes the relationship between Mai and her mother. Then the kidnapping makes Hai Phượng truly feel devastated. The chase follows. The tension in each scene is clearly felt.

The story resolution is done quite well. The character development of the cast is also clearly visible, showing Hai Phượng’s relationship with her past and family improving slightly, as well as her relationship with Mai. However, the transition after the intense conflict feels a bit rough.

The acting, especially by Veronica Ngo as Hai Phượng, with various action scenes, is impressive. She also successfully shows expressions and emotions fitting her character. Although considering Hai Phượng’s background of being born into a martial arts family and associating with gangsters, the aura displayed lacks consistency. It can be said that it is still less fierce and intimidating. The supporting actors, especially the police and some enemies, sometimes feel a bit awkward.

The camera movement is quite good because it captures every detail of the fights well. Added with appropriate music and sound effects, as well as color composition that enhances the mysterious impression of each scene.

Some scenes and storylines could still be optimized more. For example, the consistency of the character mentioned earlier. This is caused by the depiction of Hai Phượng as a ‘feared gangster’ and ‘trained in martial arts since childhood,’ which creates quite extraordinary expectations in the audience. Although it can be said that the fight scenes presented are quite good.

The police characters also feel very weak. Their incompetence is clearly visible. The police say they have investigated the case for 3 years but seem to know nothing. They also somewhat underestimate the case, especially seen in the dialogue delivered by the detective at the hospital.

The scene on the train also looks a bit unrealistic. However, this can be overlooked and does not have a significant impact. Overall, this film is quite interesting to watch, especially for action movie lovers.

 

Memorable scene:

#spoiler. Hai Phượng successfully finds Mai. In their meeting, Mai remembers her mother’s message that she must be brave. Mai says she has tried to be brave, but fear still surrounds her. Hai Phượng tells Mai that it is okay to feel afraid and not to feel guilty about it.

Through this scene, we can see that feeling fear is human. However, we must not let that fear consume us and make us powerless. Hai Phượng’s previous advice for her daughter to always be brave is her way of protecting her child from the cruelty of the world.

 

Memorable dialogue:

"No one will help you stand up in life"

 

Ending:

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation:

Worth to watch

 

(Aluna)