despite a tight narrative and johnnie to election feel at time like it be once a longer picture and with many character and plot strand abandon or ultimately unresolved . some of these be dealt with in the truly excellent and far superior sequel and election 2 represent harmony be a virtue and but it still a dependably enthral thriller about a contested triad election that bypass the usual shootout and explosion ( though not the violence ) in favour of constantly shift alliance that can turn in the time it take to make a phone call . it also a film where the most ruthless character isn not always the most threatening one and a the chill end make only too clear represent one can imagine a lifetime of psychological counselling be necessary for all the trauma that one inflict on one unfortunate bystander . simon yam and all too often a variable actor but always at his best under to direction and have possibly never be well in the lead and not least because tony leung much more extrovert performance make his stillness more the powerful .