This differed so much from other films about children and teachers. What I liked most about it was that although it is somewhat of a tragedy, it is gentle and mature, in that it refuses to overwhelm the viewer with drama or indulge in pitying and emotional wallowing. The story moved me while remaining honest, and the kids actually acted and spoke like real kids: brutally honest, inconsistent, and vulnerable.

I watched this in film class as a study in cinematography and m.e.s., but its much more than that. The story follows 3 main characters, a killer, his cool partner-in-crime, and a silly mute guy, and how their lives intersect in this noir-esque, Hong Kong art-piece. Visual aesthetics and poetics are more of the focus, however, than the details of the plot. Sit back, relax, and just TRY not to wish that you, too, were living in HK in the 90's.

Ramsay is very precise and effective in unfolding this psychotic thriller/drama as a stream of consciousness narrative; you know what to expect of the plot, but even at the end, its difficult to make sense of or rationalize the actions of the main characters, but I think that is on purpose. One of the great lines of the film when Kevin is asked about his motivations: "I used to think I know. Now I'm not so sure". Explores a story of guilt and parenthood, but most interestingly, ambivalence and reason. A visually poetic film that lingered with me, days after I saw it.