U.S. DVD Release
Henry Lee, an aging ex-commando, takes the job of a taxi driver; who actually delivers call girls to their clients, after being fired from his long serving port job. Henry Lee is also a very, very angry man; mercilessly beating his wife whom cheated on him in the past. His dream is to escape his life in Singapore and set up roots in Perth, Australia, his new job promises to give him the funds to back up his dream.
Problems arise soon after though, once he falls for a Vietnamese hooker who he sees as a victim who needs saving and set about freeing her. When he used his escape money on her freedom he is horrified to see her still soliciting herself in a club soon after. Pay back is the only thing this angry lout has left now…
Perth is a very, very, VERY angry movie. When Henry is cursing everyone from bus drivers to dog owners he’s out smacking his unfaithful wife up for no reason other than he’s a complete cock; it’s no surprise she went looking for love elsewhere! The comparisons to Taxi Driver are laughable; it’s giving Perth more acclaim than it deserves. There is nothing to like about Henry, so when he gets fucked over by the local mob, you really don’t care. His outburst of violence then just further shows how pathetic a person he is, and the outcome will leave you nonplussed or remotely engaged.
Claims that it’s the most violent film to come from Singapore doesn’t mean it’s a hyper-violent movie in the vain of Japanese or Korean cinema; this is mild, mild stuff indeed and doesn’t shock at all. The beating of his wife is the most stomach churning scene in the movie and it’s also the best example of directors Djinn’s potential. Hopefully with his future projects he’ll produce more likable characters and improve on the visual potential he shows here.
Perth is bleak, gritty and depressing. Usually that isn’t a bad thing in my book, but the characters here are so amazingly unlikable that it’s a pleasure seeing what happens to them happen! Lim Kay Tong does his best with what he’s given but his outbursts of rage can become comedic later in the film, he is a strong actor though and look forward to seeing more of him. Same can be said for Djinn, he would go on to produce something great; this as a first film isn’t a complete loss, but it’s nothing special either.
