Welcome to the Game

As a Westerner, I find China's cinematic output a bit of a mystery. Without any credible sources, it's difficult to follow what's happening over there, so all I can do is sample and watch and try to find my way in the maze of new directors establishing themselves. Zhe Zhang's Welcome to the Game [Bang Jia You Xi] was one of those random watches, where I had little to no idea what to expect exactly. Sometimes these films turn out to be bland disappointments, sometimes they hit the spot. Luckily Zhang's latest did the latter.

Two decades ago China was going through a cinematic revolution, which, sadly, has quieted down in recent years. They discovered what works for the local market, and what turns a profit. As a result, the amount of experimentation has gone down significantly. That doesn't mean everything they produce fits into neat categories, there are still remnants of that more explorative era. Finding them is the real challenge. From time to time I'll hit one of these films, at the same time I'd rather not think of all the great films I'm missing out on.

Welcome to the Game is a straightforward genre film, elevated by a more stylish and contemporary finish. It's a modern Chinese take on Fincher's The Game if you wish, a film that keeps flipping the tables and has you questioning what's real and who is truly being played. The twists are fine and effecitve, but nothing earth-shattering, per definition of a core genre flick this is more about the execution than originality. Zhang relies on lush cinematography and a meticulous bad guy to keep his audience engaged, and that's where this film shines.

Lu Fei runs a shady business in a local casino where he scams gullible visitors. His intentions are righteous though, as he uses his profits to pay for the medical treatment of an old friend. When the casino's boss finds out about Lu Fei's scam he traps him and forces him to come up with a hefty sum for soiling the casino business. Lu Fei has no way to get so much money in such a short time, but out of nowhere, he is approached by the boss' bastard daughter. She has an offer to make. She wants to lead a life away from her father but to do that, she needs money to start her life anew.

The cinematography is a big asset here. I noticed the film was produced by Yan Han and I wouldn't be surprised if he gave Zhe Zhang some pointers on how to make the film more attractive-looking. The colors are lush, the lighting is moody, the camera work is evocative and the editing is slick. It gives the film a modern touch without coming off too clean or sterile. It's exactly what a genre film like this needs to help it stand out from the crowd. It's not quite as original or creative as some of the more recent standout Chinese films, but it's still a hefty step up from the norm.

The score, as is so often the case with Chinese cinema, is one of the weaker elements of the film. It's never actively annoying or distracting, but you'll be hard-pressed to remember much of it once the film is done. The music is functional, it makes sure there aren't any dead spots and it helps to set the mood, but it does so without ever taking center stage. Not that a film like this actively requires a unique score to make a lasting impact, but it's such an easy way to make a mark that I can't help but feel a little disappointed when a director leaves such potential untapped.

Peng Yuchang and Bingqing Hu do a good job as the leads. There's enough chemistry between the two for the plot to be functional and even though their performances aren't going to win them any awards, they both bring what is needed to give their characters the necessary edge. The star of the film is Yao Lu though. Sure enough, he relies heavily on mannerisms to bring his character to life, but I adored him as the story's villain. Despite his lackluster presentation, he seems always in control of the situation and he's ruthless when need be.

The setup of the film is relatively simple (though it requires some leeway from the audience). Once all the pawns are in place the real fun starts and what follows is a game of intellectual and emotional chess between three people whose goals are mostly obscured from the viewer. People who easily lose track of the plot shouldn't worry too much, everything gets properly explained at the end, with one more final surprise in store (the very last shot). It's familiar territory for people who see the occasional thriller/mystery, but there's a level of slyness I appreciated.

Welcome to the Game is straight-up genre fare, a puzzling power struggle between two camps, dressed up nicely and executed with the proper amount of flair. It shows that originality doesn't have to be key to making a great film, as long as you make sure the individual elements receive the right amount of care and attention. It's one of those films that will primarily appeal to genre fans, and if you have no access to Chinese cinema it's likely Welcome to the Game will never even appear on your radar, but for those whose interest is piqued this is sure to be a solid recommendation.