The Three Swordsmen

Held up for almost a year in Hong Kong, due mainly to the current unpopularity of period chopsocky fantasies, this decent, if wholly unremarkable, action picture is finally seeing the light of day in this country. The many charms of The Three Swordsmen (charismatic performances, stylish photography, and the usual kinetic fight sequences) are almost done in by the ridiculously convoluted plotline, which, while far too complicated to summarize, has something to do with Lau's character, a master swordsman named Sam Sui, who is set up for both the theft of a mystical sword as well as murder. Faced with death from the rival clans for his crimes, Sam Sui goes on the run to prove his innocence, only to uncover a virtual gaggle of other conspiracies in the process. While the plot of The Three Swordsmen may leave you pounding your fists in frustration, it's hard not to be entertained during the film's many action sequences, especially the beautiful opening and a very memorable set-piece in which Lau literally dismembers a bad guy with his coat(!). Probably the thing that will be remembered most about the picture is that it marks the (supposedly) last film appearance of legendary sexual-identity confusion queen Bridget Lin, whose wonderfully charismatic performances (usually as curiously asexual characters) have brightened many a Hong Kong movie over the past decade. Going into retirement to concentrate on her upcoming marriage, she deserved a better exit vehicle (don't they always) than this average effort, which, thanks to its delayed release, is coming out after her intended final role in Wong Kar Mei's brilliant comedy/drama Chungking Express. This bizarre coincidence seems to suggest that there is some sort of Movie God who has fated that most actors' final films are never quite up to their talents. However, in comparison to John Candy's and Raul Julia's recent, less-than-fond farewells, Lin should count her lucky stars that The Three Swordsmen is at least passable entertainment.