Lee Rock II: When Crime Dynasty Collides with Bloodline – A Masterclass in Moral Complexity, Hong Kong Cinema Analyst
Few films capture the paradox of power and paternalism as viscerally as Lee Rock II: Father and Son (1991), the sequel to the iconic Hong Kong biographical crime saga starring Andy Lau. This underappreciated gem transcends its gangster-film label to deliver a Shakespearean tragedy about corrupted legacies, set against Hong Kong’s pivotal anti-corruption revolution . As both a character study and historical document, it demands global attention – particularly from viewers seeking cinema that intertwines personal drama with societal transformation.
I. A Bridge Between Two Hong Kongs
The film’s brilliance lies in its dual timeline: the twilight of British colonial rule (1960s) and the dawn of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in the 1970s. Director Lawrence Ah Mon uses this backdrop to mirror protagonist Lee Rock’s (Lau) journey from ambitious detective to compromised “Five Hundred Million Superintendent,” a title referencing his ill-gotten wealth .
What international audiences might miss is the cultural subtext:
- The “white-gloved tea money” system shown in police stations wasn’t mere bribery but an institutionalized hierarchy where junior officers literally served tea to superiors, with cash tucked under saucers .
- ICAC’s establishment (represented by Lee’s idealistic son played by Aaron Kwok) marked Hong Kong’s transition from “collective corruption” to rule of law – a societal rupture as dramatic as America’s Prohibition era .
II. Andy Lau’s Career-Defining Performance
Lau’s portrayal of Lee Rock remains his most nuanced antihero, blending ruthless pragmatism with wounded paternal instincts. Observe his physical transformation:
- 1960s Lee: Sharp suits and cocky grins mirroring Hong Kong’s economic boom.
- 1970s Lee: Slower movements and greying hair signaling a kingpin aware of his impending obsolescence.
The film’s centerpiece – a hospital confrontation where Lee protects his hospitalized ex-lover (played by Chingmy Yau) from assassins – showcases Lau’s mastery. Notice how his trembling hands (from earlier injuries) contrast with steely resolve, embodying a man clinging to power while sensing its futility .
III. Father vs. Son: Confucianism Meets Colonial Reform
The generational clash between Lee and his ICAC-officer son Raymond isn’t just familial – it’s East vs. West value systems colliding:
| Lee Rock’s Worldview | Raymond’s Idealism |
|---|---|
| “Loyalty to brotherhood” | Accountability to law |
| Wealth = Face (面子) | Transparency |
| Patriarchal authority | Meritocratic justice |
Their dinner-table debates (a recurring motif) crystallize Hong Kong’s identity crisis: Can filial piety coexist with modern governance? The film offers no easy answers, making it profoundly resonant in today’s global debates about systemic corruption .
IV. Cinematic Craft: Noir Aesthetics with Cantonese Soul
Cinematographer Andrew Lau (later director of Infernal Affairs) employs techniques Western viewers might compare to Coppola’s The Godfather, but with distinct local flavor:
- Smoke-filled mahjong parlors: Not just vice dens but negotiation tables where triad leaders and bureaucrats blur lines.
- Mirror motifs: Lee frequently sees his reflection fragmented – in car windows, tea shops, even his son’s scornful gaze – visualizing his divided self.
- Soundtrack symbolism: The recurring Erhu (Chinese fiddle) score undercuts Westernized settings, reminding viewers that this isn’t just a crime saga but a lament for fading traditions .
V. Why Global Audiences Should Watch
- Historical Parallels: Compare Lee Rock’s empire to Pablo Escobar’s reign – both thrived on systemic rot but couldn’t withstand institutional reforms.
- Moral Ambiguity: Unlike Hollywood’s clean heroes/villains, Lee evokes sympathy despite horrific acts (e.g., sanctioning rival assassinations).
- Cultural Archaeology: The film preserves pre-handover Hong Kong’s linguistic blend of Cantonese slang and colonial legalese, now fading.
A telling detail: When Lee bribes a British superior, he switches from Cantonese to stilted English – a microcosm of Hong Kong’s dual identity .
VI. Legacy and Relevance
Though overshadowed by Infernal Affairs internationally, Lee Rock II pioneered Hong Kong’s “biographical wave” that humanized criminals without glorification . Its themes feel newly urgent:
- Power Transition Anxiety: As Lee’s era ends, so does colonial Hong Kong – mirroring modern anxieties about new political chapters.
- Generational Divides: Millennial ICAC recruits vs. boomer power-brokers prefigure today’s youth-led protests.
The film’s closing scene – Lee disappearing into crowds as his son arrests his allies – isn’t defeat but metamorphosis: old power structures crumbling to make way for, but not guarantee, something better .
Final Verdict: More Than a Gangster Film
-Lee Rock II* works as both gripping crime drama and anthropological study. For Western viewers accustomed to Goodfellas-style rise/fall arcs, this offers something richer – a portrait of corruption as cultural practice, and reform as necessary but violent rebirth. As Hong Kong continually renegotiates its identity, Lee Rock’s story remains a haunting mirror.
-Where to Watch*: Available with English subtitles on major Asian cinema platforms. Pair it with documentaries about ICAC’s real-life founding for full context.