Cool hand Lau

Thu, 23 Sep 2004 20:00:00 +0000

What would happen if one of the biggest stars in Hollywood persisted in playing gigolos, male strippers, smooth con men, double agents? Imagine the effect it would have on movies if one of its major players chose to be softly insinuating, yet entirely seductive -- a teasing, duplicitous love object whose eyes cunningly work the screen, but who somehow retains the persona of a dynamic action hero.

It's not likely that an actor like Tom Cruise would consistently cast himself as the homme fatale. But Andy Lau, 42, whose 2002 film "Infernal Affairs" finally will be released Friday in the U.S., has done just that. And he is perhaps Hong Kong's most bankable, respected star who hasn't yet crossed over into American films. Lau, who is also one of Asia's most popular singers, is an actor with the dexterity of Kevin Spacey, but with the command for a romantic role; he specializes in intriguing women and tough-talking other men, yet he undermines both action and romance pictures with his deliberate, delicate playing.

Salon.com > Lesley Chow

Cool hand Lau