Recently there has been a spate of action movies centered around child trafficking/kidnapping. From Malaysia's “Walid” to Vietnam's “Foggy Mountain”, it's a subgenre taken directly from news headlines and provides plenty of opportunity for emotional drama amidst the carnage. With the imminent release in the west from Film Movement, we get an opportunity to take in another example but one with considerable pedigree. “578 Magnum” was the Vietnamese submission for the 95th Academy Awards for Best International Feature. So the question is, does it live up to the reputation?
578 Magnum is PREMIERING VIA VOD, DIGITAL & FILM MOVEMENT PLUS ON FEBRUARY 23, 2024
Hung (Alexandre Nguyen) drives a truck,, accompanied by his daughter An. He leaves her at a school so can make his schedules only to find her taken by associates of Thai (Ngoc Tinh) when she tries to visit. Tracking Thai down, Hung kidnaps him in turn setting in motion a series of events that bring him into conflict with Thai's father Mr. Kwang (Hoang Phuc). Determined to protect his son, Mr. Kwang unleashes his forces in an attempt to destroy Hung. The violence escalates and a final battle between the two fathers is inevitable.
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The core running through the narrative is fatherhood. Both protagonist Hung and lead antagonist Kwang are lone parents with the mother's of their children nowhere in sight nor referenced. Both go to extreme lengths to protect their kin and neither is able to walk away from the conflict until the other is destroyed. A lot is left unexplained and to the audience to figure out for themselves. There is a sense that Kwang is as twisted as his son, making his henchmen eat photos and ruling with an iron fist. His admission that he loved it when his son was crying and could be there for him as a peculiar one insinuates an unhealthy family upbringing that might explain Thai's apparent perversion (fortunately only ever implied than seen). With Hung again we are left with little exposition. We learn he is ex special forces but it's left at that. Even when An is found, he cannot let go, in an obsession that mirrors his foe. Alexandre Nguyen brings an intensity to the part that fits perfectly. It's a serious role with little levity that contrasts the smoothness of Hoang Phuc's Mr. Kwang. The nature of Hung's current truck driver role further adds a layer of difference with a blue collar contrasting with wealth.
The narrative structure is at times a little confusing. The opening credits act as a form of trailer detailing events we are about to see. There are flashbacks and the initial non linear approach both intrigues and frustrates, as it's a little hard to work out what is going on. Once it settles, the superb action sucks you in but you do feel there is something missing. A credits sequence reveals a potential sequel that might fill in some of the blanks. Hopefully it fleshes out the character of Bao Vi (engagingly played by H'hen Nie) who flits in and out of the piece, stealing scenes without ever getting much of an explanation as to why she is there.
The action is some of the best put on screen in recent years. Each sequence has a different set up and provides variety. We get a van fight with combatants in an enclosed setting. A terrific scrap in a field that sees Hung take on a gang of biker women. The highlight though is the sequence in the container area, initially with Hung and then Boa Vi squaring off in the atmospheric rain against Ly Poker Face (Tuen Hac, eerily resembling John Liu). It's an excellent battle with crunching moves and fluid, fast editing. Ultimately the final duel can't match this, although there is an intensity to the conclusion, which also sets up a slightly open ending that leaves several questions unanswered and a sense of a lack of closure for one of these men.
“578 Magnum” on the surface feels like a variant of the “Taken” series as we get the everyman (who always seems to be ex special forces/secret service) taking on kidnappers. Yet it becomes something more. A brutal tale of two fathers doing anything possible to protect their children and a feeling of unleashed anger that will be impossible to put back in the box. Ignore the narrative gaps and lack of characterization in some and enjoy an excellent action/drama that is worthy of wider recognition.
