by Arran
Taiwanese film Partners in Crime is Chang Jung-Chi’s second feature film, his debut being the 2012 crowd-pleasing Touch of the Light, earning a nomination at the 85th Academy Awards. A different genre entirely, this film focuses on the complexities of teenage life and overall angst as we follow the crime-solving adventure of Huang (Wu Chien-ho), Lin (Deng Yu-kai) and Yeh (Cheng Kai-yuan).
First and foremost a ‘whodunnit’ set in a modern high school with a vast array of characters in various social castes, this film captures the essence of teenage life. Revolving around the death of a senior high school student, Hsia Wei-chiao (Yao Ai-ning), Partners in Crime is refreshingly shot and perfectly captures particular emotions of an adolescent, such as the feeling of isolation. Interestingly, the adult characters were portrayed as disconnected from the world of the young protagonists’.
Characters such as the apathetic counsellor did not attempt to or at all understand the struggles of the youths she was supposedly meant to help. The mother of Hsia is also depicted as disconnected from the adolescents, not really ‘getting it’ or understanding any of her daughter’s true emotions. Although this film was at times extraordinarily interesting, it somehow felt slightly anti-climactic.
With one of the many themes of the film being a sense of belonging, which is reinforced at the climax of the film, it still felt as though something else could have been said. Fortunately, Jung-Chi had a good cast to strengthen the main themes of the film, making it heart wrenching and ultimately intriguing.
FURTHER COMMENTS
Narra: Arran?
Arran: Yes, I do agree this film is a tad anti-climactic.
Narra: I know! It feels like it’s building up to something really big, especially with the eerily intriguing opening credits. After the plot twist however, it just feels like ‘Oh, is that it?’ I mean, it almost seemed a little too obvious.
Arran: Well maybe it’s not necessarily a bad thing that it didn’t have a massive plot twist. After all, this is a depiction of teenage life and real life can sometimes have blindingly simple answers.
Narra: Ha! This wasn’t supposed to be about ‘simple answers’, the director himself said it is a ‘…suspense movie…’
Arran: Yes but I think it’s meant to be more than that. I think it really is trying to discuss serious teenage issues about acceptance and loneliness, as you stated before, which it did with the plot twist.
Narra: But if you’re making a film based around suspense then it should follow through with it.
Arran: Well, I think in a sense it did. The build-up was good; I constantly wanted to know more and really figure out the cause of Hsia’s death. And at the end, it did come together.
Narra: I understand it is critiquing the disconnection between the adult world and the adolescent’s. I also understand its message about the immense pressures that belonging and social hierarchy have on a young person, but it still could have been executed with more tension and precision.
Arran: Well the cinematography I think does save it from being too slow and adds needed tension. Narra: Yes, I agree. But-
Arran: We need to wrap this up, Narra, after all, we’ve already gone over the word limit!
Narra: Well, if you’d just agree with me…
Arran: Well maybe if you were writing this review then I would. But considering you’re not, I enjoyed this film and think this is worth a watch. Especially if you’re a teen who has felt overwhelmed by isolation, or an adult wishing to gain an insight into adolescent life. I’m giving this 3 and a half stars.
Narra: I’m giving this 3 stars.
Partners in Crime
Melbourne International Film Festival
MIFF recommends ages 15+
Saturday 1 August 6.45pm
Wednesday 12 August 1.30pm
Friday 14 August 11am