Election
Seen it?2005 | 101 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Menace II Society or Avengement, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Cantonese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
After losing an election to become chairman of the Wo Lin Shing triad, a gang leader lashes out and tries to seize the dragon-head baton, the official symbol of a chairman's authority.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
11 wins and 13 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$16 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 30K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Johnnie To
- Simon YamLok
- Tony Leung Ka-faiBig D
- Louis KooJimmy
- Nick Cheung Ka-faiJet
- Gordon Lam Ka-tungKun
- Cheung Siu-faiMr. So
- Lam SuetBig Head
- Wong Tin-lamUncle Teng
- Tam Bing-ManUncle Cocky
- Maggie Shiu Mei-keiMrs. Big D