The gambling film is synonymous with the Hong Kong movie industry. From “Games Gamblers Play” through to the “From Vegas to Macau” series, they encapsulate the desire for financial gain that would filter through society. Whist the films may often be violent, in the main they showed a glamour to the lifestyle even if the consequences could be dire. “No More Bets” from the mainland then comes across as a riposte to this with the dangers of online gambling and the devastation it causes at the forefront of its thriller narrative. Yet it is so much more than just a simple damnation, as Western audiences will discover as it arrives on their shores this month.
No More Bets will be screening in UK and Ireland cinemas starting September 8, courtesy of Trinity Asia
Sheng (Lay Zhang) after being rejected for promotion, takes up another opportunity in Singapore. After arriving, he and the other new recruits are attacked and taken to a compound where they are met by Lu (Eric Wang) who informs them that they are now working for him and are taken on a “tour” where they see how the organization defrauds unwilling suspects. Anna (Gina Jin) a former model that was similarly lured there is one of those participating in the online gambling fraud. Tianzhi (Darren Wang) is one such victim. Increasingly hooked on making bets, his debt spirals until he is forced to take extreme measures. It is the impact of this that brings the focus onto Lu's enterprise and a game of cat and mouse ensues.
Online fraud is a very topical subject. “No More Bets” goes into great detail on how intricate the scammers are and the manner in which it infects modern life. The set up would seem ludicrous if it wasn't for the regular real-life stories that we hear. Everyone in this movie is manipulated to some degree. The opening scenes show how the leads get entrapped. For Sheng it is the promise of the ideal life after being turned over for promotion (it is implied the successful candidate has better connections). Anna loses her contract due to someone photoshopping her image which leads to her coercion. Even the central antagonists are trapped as their activities have left them with paranoia and mistrust.
Check also this video
The mid-section is the most powerful portion of the film as we watch the fallout from what starts as simple gambling on an app. We witness both the gradual alienation as desperation to make up losses mounts up and how the need for money leads to theft, lies and the erosion of escape. What makes it really hit home is seeing the other side. The encouragement and manipulation of emotion to keep raising the stakes. Tianzhi is not a person to them but just a message on a screen. As an anti-gambling message, it couldn't be any more effective. However, the line is blurred slightly in the portrayal of those that were captured in the opening moments. Whilst Sheng is seen as someone that retains most of his principals (he is reluctant to keep pushing Tianzhi, tries to escape), the others seem to become less concerned with returning to their homes as they begin to make money. The subject of greed therefore goes both ways. They lose sight of those affected and only desire the gain for themselves. This is juxtaposed with the “lesser” workers who are much more captive than the others, even if they are essentially the same but in a more gilded cage.
If “No More Bets” has a weakness, it is in the rather sudden switch to the case investigation towards the climax. Up to this point it has been a very character driven piece and it suddenly seems to realize that it needs to wrap the story up. It's still effective but leaves you with a sense that someone has hit the fast forward button. One moment particularly stands out. The Police chief addressing the room about how these crimes need to be removed. It's a political speech that reminds the audience that this is a Chinese movie we are watching and there will be repercussions for the villains no matter what. This and the conference that bookends the narrative structure ensures you leave the cinema with that message.
The performances are on point. Standouts are Darren Wang as he encapsulates the decent into a personal hell with no escape, with the desperation increasing as he begins to steal from those closed to him. It's a heart-breaking turn and all the more effective in getting the central message over. Eric Wang as Lu gets a complex character to work with. Yes, he is the villain but despite the paranoia and suspicion, he actually seems to care about Sheng and enjoys the celebrations with his “associates”. So, when his actions turn violent they are more shocking as a consequence. It makes it easier to understand why he is able to exert such control.
Shen Ao directs fluidly and stylishly, matched with crisp editing that keeps the pace flowing nicely. It means that aside from a few heavy-handed moments dictated by the script (and need to please the censors) the moral message doesn't overwhelm or that the drama becomes too cloying. Whilst Sheng as a protagonist is not wholly sympathetic, it never seeks to portray him as such. Both Sheng and Anna are victims too and to be so, their flaws are on display, so we can understand how they came to be in the situation in the first instance.
“No More Bets” is at it's heart a “Message” movie. Online gambling is bad, don't do it. It doesn't trivialize the consequences and whilst can be a bit obvious in the points it's trying to make, at least it avoids the pitfall in overtly glamourizing those involved. A strong central story, excellent direction and performances lift it far above the “movie of the week” it could have been and instead we get a very polished piece of cinematic entertainment that will make you think next time you see one of the adverts on social media inviting you in.
