The Odd One Dies (1997)

Takes a couple of repeat viewings to really know what's going on, but this movie grows on you each time. A movie of character studies, without drum roll or fanfare, about characters who we expect to care less about in the beginning. Unpretentious and non self-conscious. Films this quiet and moving are rare. Hilarious if you are observant and paying attention to all the small moments. The main loser is played by Takeshi Kaneshiro, whom few expect to be a character actor. However, he couldn't be more natural. Every still moment, deep breath he takes, contemplative smoke, showed his incredible depth and range. It takes you by surprise because few character actors look this good. The dialog is well written and excellently sparse. The actress loser Carmen Lee was excellent though seemed more scripted than Kaneshiro, but they had some excellent interactive moments. Highly recommended for film viewers of any nationality, though Hong Kong is displayed in a much more narcissistic and seedy way than usual. This is a film about high self-esteem, the change in life that can come about even for a loser, if he had enough integrity and belief in himself.