The Goldfinger

Based on the real story of the Carrion Group, The Goldfinger follows anti-corruption investigator Lau Kai-yuen (Andy Lau) as he attempts to unravel a criminal conspiracy related to Henry Ching (Tony Leung), the founder of the multi-million dollar Carmen Group.

On paper, The Goldfinger has plenty of narrative potential, and a cat-and-mouse game between a hard-nosed detective and a suave gangster capitalist against the stylish backdrop of 1980s Hong Kong seems like a recipe for success. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t capitalise on this potential, leaving ripe storytelling opportunities on the table.

One problem with the narrative is its structure, with Ching’s tale primarily told through flashbacks, as his associates recount the rise and fall of the Carmen Group under police custody. This makes for a cinematic experience that feels oddly isolated, pushing its audience away from what should be an engrossing story. Rather than piecing together Ching’s shady dealings along with Lau, viewers are handed every piece of the puzzle directly.

Another issue is the movie’s tendency to focus on economics over exploring its characters. Business deals and the stock market are discussed at length at the expense of character development, which makes proceedings difficult to follow and defuses excitement and tension, while also making it hard to form an emotional connection to the cast.

It’s not all bad though, and other aspects of The Goldfinger’s production balance out the flaws. The cinematography and sound design bring the pizzazz and excitement that the film desperately needs, with stylish camera tricks and an energetic soundtrack to liven up the action.

The cast also brings a lot of character to their roles. In particular, the dynamic between Lau and Ching is elevated through Tony Leung bringing heaps of charisma and swagger to his portrayal of Ching, and Andy Lau bouncing off that energy as the determined and passionate Lau. It’s a shame the two don’t get more opportunities to play off each other because their relationship is easily one of the film’s most compelling.

Overall, The Goldfinger is a frustrating feature in many ways. Its premise feels like a narrative open goal that the writing and structure managed to miss. It boasts some great acting chops and glossy, stylish production, but it’s a hard film to recommend on the back of those merits alone due to its two-hour runtime.

Umar Ali

The Goldfinger is released in select cinemas on 5^th January 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Goldfinger here: