Peace Hotel (1995)

Peace Hotel Poster
Original Title: 和平飯店

After his wife's murder, widow Wong A Ping sets up a Peace Hotel to act as a sanctuary for anyone who needs protecting. One day a mysterious women shows up who seeks shelter from a gang hunting her. Vowing to never turn anyone away, Wong A Ping must decide whether to help the women or risk confronting the gang.

Film Overview
"Peace Hotel" is a 1995 Hong Kong produced action film directed by Wai Ka-Fai. The movie stars well known international star Chow Yun-Fat as the primary character, 'The Killer.' The remainder of the cast includes popular starlets Cecilia Yip as 'Jing,' the female lead, and Ann Bridgewater as the 2nd female lead character, 'Ah-Sing.'.

Plot Summary
In post-revolutionary China, 'The Killer' is a well-known assassin who, following a traumatic past, decides to give up his eliminating days, purchasing a run-down inn and promising to develop a location of peace. He brings back the inn and names it Peace Hotel, developing the guideline that anyone can look for sanctuary within its walls, provided they vow to keep peace during their stay. Many bad guys and hooligans discover sanctuary in the hotel, creating quite a strange community.

The story takes a turn when a female called 'Jing' gets in the hotel, seeking refuge from a powerful warlord whose boy she has actually killed. 'The Killer' deals with a predicament when the warlord demands Jing's life as a retribution. Torn in between the oath of peace he's vowed to uphold and the desire to safeguard Jing, he is captured in a scenario where, either way, he 'd have to break his concept.

Style and Themes
"Peace Hotel" differs as an innovative entry in Chow Yun-Fat's filmography since it defies the standard structure of action films. This movie mixes aspects of different categories, including drama, love, and black comedy, to deliver a special cinematic experience. It raises itself using innovative camerawork, elegant action choreography, and a pervading dark atmosphere that matches the grim story.

Key styles in the film resonate around the concepts of redemption, peace, and personal dilemmas of the lead characters. The narrative assesses a man's quest for peace in a violent world, his battle with inner demons, and how his resolutions get evaluated when faced with a formidable ethical dilemma.

Character Development
Chow Yun-Fat's character, 'The Killer,' blends an air of cool sophistication and subtlety. His character, at first presented as impassive, slowly deciphers through the luring story, and we see his psychological turmoil and his attempts to reduce his fundamental violence for the sake of an ideological resolution.

Cecilia Yip, portraying 'Jing,' likewise provides a captivating efficiency. Her character adds dramatic strength to the film as she progresses from an ignorant lady seeking revenge and slowly succumbs to the extreme truths of life under constant risk.

Important Reception and Conclusion
"Peace Hotel" got blended evaluations from critics but were mostly praised for the performances, cinematography, and new take on the genre. Chow Yun-Fat's charming representation of 'The Killer' was considered a sensational efficiency, while Cecilia Yip's representation of 'Jing' was likewise extremely appreciated.

Regardless of diverting from the conventional action genre and embedding elements of drama and love, the film still keeps a substantial amount of violence and action sequences, keeping audiences engaged. Ultimately, "Peace Hotel" is a story of a guy's quest for redemption and peace, and how his past can never undoubtedly leave him.

Top Cast

  • Chow Yun-fat (small)
    Chow Yun-fat
    Wong A Ping / Killer
  • Cecilia Yip (small)
    Cecilia Yip
    Shau Siu Man / Lam Ling
  • Chun Ho
    Ting Moon
  • Shun Lau (small)
    Shun Lau
    Blind musician
  • Annabelle Lau Hiu-Tung (small)
    Annabelle Lau Hiu-Tung
    Skinny
  • Mai Kei (small)
    Mai Kei
    Blind musician
  • Joe Cheng (small)
    Joe Cheng
    Grand Hall bandit
  • Wu Chien-Lien (small)
    Wu Chien-Lien
    Killer's wife
  • Lee Siu-Kei (small)
    Lee Siu-Kei
    Guest of Peace Hotel
  • Lo Fan (small)
    Lo Fan
    Bitch