Seung sing (Confession of Pain) poster & wallpaper

Ankie Beilke, Bo-yuan Chan, Monie Tung

This unsettling psychological thriller that focuses on two men seemingly at the ends of their respective ropes.

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62% liked it

1,106 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Wai-keung Lau, Alan Mak

Release Date: December 7, 2006

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Flixster Reviews (310)

  • DragonEyeMorrison
    September 25, 2007
    DragonEyeMorrison
    The Infernal Affairs directorial duo is back with another crime thriller, with heavy stars once more in the main cast. Directores Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak show a full control of the genre, using a fluid and tight camera movement, they manage once more to keep the audience gl...( read more)ued to the screen.

    Unlike what many would think in a first view, the film is more about character motivations rather than twists. Both Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro give solid rock performances. Chapman To is fun to watch, as usual, and Shu Qi serves as great eye candy.

    All that said the film fells short in it's story, it starts quite interesting, then gets quite redundant, and when the final act comes it hardly has the impact the directors seem to have been trying to achieve. It's a very simple story, but told in an very unecessary convulted way.

    Ok and watchable, but very forgettable. Neverless, watch it before the upcoming hollywood-add-water-remake.
  • SarahG1988
    July 9, 2007
    SarahG1988
    Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

    A detective helps a friend investigate the mysterious death of her father ...( read more)

    Sadly Confession of Pain, is not what I thought it would be at all. For one thing, the story isn't very interesting nor is it orginal. However, Confessions have its strength that makes this movie watchable. Andrew and Alan pairs Tony and Takeshi as two leading actors, where both were reunited again after Wong Kar Wai's cult classic Chungking Express (1994). Tony and Takeshi did not have any crossover in Chungking Express, thus Confessions gives the duo a chance to see if there is any chemistry reaction. There is some chemistry there, that does make this watchable and interesting, sometimes, but it;s the only thing that really makes you watch. It?s no secret to some of my flixster friends, that I didn?t go much on Infernal Affairs, who had the same makers on Confession. I can not empathise what a disappointment this was for me. Mainly I watched it because it had Tony and Takeshi in it.

    It's surprising that the story decided to show its hand midway in the movie. While it doesn't exactly provide any definitive answers, by planting that seed of thought in you during its presentation. You're left wondering why, the rationale behind the actions, as well as the filmmakers' deliberate lack of effort of hiding the truth. Bong's character will bring you on that journey of discovery. However, audiences who have seen their fair share of crime stories, will find it pretty easy when figuring out the clues. For instance there?s no clear understanding , at times, that the narrative isn?t following in the linear way that you?re used to. I didn?t realise to the end of the movie that certain things happened because it was at the beginning of the dilm

    The editing and the parrarel editing at times, makes it pretty confusing to watch. There are many frames, that are skipped and in some of the scenes, and as I mentioned before there?s not clear ratinal as to what this character is doing. As for camera work, set design, sound, and editing, this movie feels more like a commercial than a feature film. The effect is to cheapen what otherwise might have been great and deep. The same goes for the acting, which seems to have been texted in.

    Which is a pity, because everything turned predictable towards the end of the movie narratively. However, stylistically, it is what assisted in keeping the attention on screen. The cinematography is brilliant, capturing moody loss effortlessly in its never ending night shots of the cloudy city, unappealing streets, and empty apartments was engaging to watch but nonetheless I?ve seen better in HK movies before.

    The diagetic music is, in some scences a little off putting and doesn?t quite fit with the scene. For instance having, let?s say happier music in a scene which is not happy-just doesn?t make sense at all. I?m sure you know what I mean, music in a film needs to fit with what what you?re watching on screen. Sadly there?s no evidence of that here.

    Overall, one of the more disappointing Asian films I?ve seen. Don?t let me put you off the film, as some of you may like it. It?s worth watching for Tony Leung and Takeshi and perhaps some scenery around HK, but nothing more. The plot isn?t very interesting and you don?t really care for the characters by the end of the film. Perhaps if I watched it again, I might change my mind.
  • jsd35
    June 17, 2007
    jsd35
    A decent film from the team that gave us "Infernal Affaris", but the story is a little less compelling, as we seek to understand why Tony Leung murdered his father-in-law.
  • habitualdamnation
    March 4, 2007
    habitualdamnation
    They managed to replicate the old Infernal Affairs feel alright but the story is not tight enough this time. Still, lots of sexy melancholy and meanderin. And Tony fuckin Leung, can he put a foot wrong?
  • threefolddado
    January 14, 2008
    threefolddado
    Could have been more, but a cut above most thrillers.
  • kienjean
    October 1, 2009
    kienjean
    Different people may have different expectation from this movie, long-awaited by Infernal Affairs fans worldwide.

    Xu Jing Lei is truly good in acting and no wonder she becomes a director apparently. Shu Qi, just being awarded the Golden Horse is now choosing screenplay careful...( read more)ly. We can see her effort now.

    My all-time favorite low profile icon Tony Leung Chiu Wai is very good in portraying those internal heart playing role. I love him so much for his golden acting career. Congrats and I strongly believe that he will yield another few awards in the coming award seasons in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

    Of course, Takeshi Kaneshiro starts to pick movies properly since House of Flying Daggers and Perhaps Love. His work is more than what I've expected him to be. Well done!

    Another masterpiece from the producers, makers, writers and directors of Infernal Affairs trilogy, which attracts Brad Pitt's company Plan B to adapt the latter into this year's Oscar fever The Departed!!!
  • se7enthangel
    September 25, 2009
    se7enthangel
    After infernal affairs, I was driven to watch HK made movies again especially the ones made by Tony Leung and Andy Lau. There were my favourites during the 80s. Seung Sing somehow does not quite deliver, in fact it seemed like a confusing tangled mess to me.
  • xShayne
    August 7, 2009
    xShayne
    A very strong beginning which was balanced with suspense and utter coolness of a police operation.

    After that, the plot was driven into slight confusion until the end; they investigated a murder, but it was clear from the beginning who was behind it. The motive was unclear until...( read more) the very end, which was good, but how Bong (Takeshi Kaneshiro) got to his conclusion was a little disappointing.

    Also, Bong's romantic journey was a little meaningless, in my opinion. It gave very little to the movie.

    The clarity of the beginning got muddled up, which is a pity. All in all I liked the movie, but the inconclusive feeling it gave me forces me to lower my four stars to three-and-a-half. Perhaps if the tips and hints had been layered a little better, and there had been more "show" rather than "tell", the movie may have been better.

    If you're not afraid of some brutal, violent scenes, check this one out.
  • chocolatesoyadrink
    June 25, 2009
    chocolatesoyadrink
    Flawed...

    More to follow.
  • UglyCrazyPiggy
    May 3, 2009
    UglyCrazyPiggy
    I like both Actors but disappointed with the movie

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  • mistershinobi
    November 11, 2007
    mistershinobi
    OMFG! this movie features the hottest asian actors EVER!!! So FREAKIN SEXY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    tony leung AND takeshi kaneshiro!!!! TOGETHER!!! IN A MOVIE!!
    OMFG!
    OMFG!
    OMFG!
    OMFG!
    OMFG!
    OMFG!
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