Switch (2013 film)

Switch is a 2013 Chinese-Hong Kong action film written and directed by Jay Sun and starring Andy Lau, Tong Dawei, Zhang Jingchu and Lin Chi-ling.[1][3]

Switch
Official film poster
Traditional Chinese天機：富春山居圖
Simplified Chinese天机：富春山居图
Hanyu PinyinTiān Jī: Fù Chūn Shān Jū Tú
JyutpingTin1 Gei1: Fu3 Ceon1 Saan1 Geoi1 Tou4
Directed byJay Sun
Written byJay Sun
Produced by
  • Zhao Haicheng
  • Shen Xue
  • He Lichang
Starring
CinematographyShao Dan
Edited byDu Hengtao
Music byRoc Chen
Production
companies
China Film Group
Pegasus Entertainment
Media Asia Films
Phoenix Satellite Television
Distributed byMedia Asia Distribution
Release dates
  • 9 June 2013 (2013-06-09) (China)
  • 12 June 2013 (2013-06-12) (Hong Kong)
Running time
122 minutes
CountriesChina
Hong Kong
Languages
  • Mandarin
  • Japanese
  • English[1]
Budget¥160 million[1]
Box office¥302.6 million [2]

Synopsis

A famous Chinese Yuan Dynasty painting known as "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" was stolen and being sold on the black market, led by a mysterious business magnate (Tong Dawei). Special agent Jinhan (Andy Lau) is tasked to recover the painting.

Meanwhile, Jinhan and his wife (Zhang Jingchu) have drifted apart, due to the secret nature of his work, unaware that his wife also works as a special agent tasked with protecting the painting.

Cast

Release

Switch was originally set to be released in 2012, but was delayed partially due to the decision to convert the film to 3-D.[1] The film was released in China on 9 June 2013[1] and in Hong Kong on 12 June, where its running time was trimmed by 9 minutes with several scenes cut out.[1]

In China, the film grossed RMB 49 million (US$8 million) in its opening day, the third-biggest opening day revenue for a domestic film in China.[4][5]

Reception

Maggie Lee of Variety stated the film "epitomizes[...]so-bad-it’s-good kitsch", pointing to a lack of plot continuity, ostentatious visuals and exaggerated, exploitation-like characterizations.[6] Elizabeth Kerr of The Hollywood Reporter similarly criticized the film for its confusing structure and lack of impact, likening Sun to "a film school drop-out with too much cash".[7]

References
  1. Elley, Derek (13 June 2013). "Switch". Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  2. "2013内地票房Top20".
  3. Clarence Tsui (31 October 2012). "AFM 2012: James Cameron Doc 'Imperial City Beijing' Seeks Hollywood Support". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  4. "China Box Office: SWITCH Primed To Send STAR TREK Packing". Twitch Film. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  5. Tsui, Clarence (10 June 2013). "China Box Office: 'Switch' Nets Third-Biggest Opening Day Ever for Homegrown Film". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  6. Lee, Maggie (17 June 2013). "Film Review: 'Switch'". Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  7. Kerr, Elizabeth (15 July 2013). "Switch: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 October 2023.


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