'Election' - "Rather Good"

The two chief critics for the New York Times, A. O. Scott and Manohla Dargis, are writing a journal of their experiences in Cannes this year. (Free registration required to access the article at the NY Times site.)

In the context of discussing "The Film Critic's Pyramid of Needs," Dargis comments on Johnny To's ELECTION:

"The film is rather good and includes some exceptionally violent scenes."

In a previous entry, "Colin Firth, Down and Dirty," she wrote about another Asian film:

"I fell for the [Directors] Fortnight's opening film, 'Be With Me.' It's from a Singaporean, Eric Khoo, and interweaves the true story of a deaf-mute woman with tales of thwarted love. I didn't have any idea what was going on for the first half hour, but was in tears by the end, which is fairly rare (big surprise)."

Cool.