Sparrow may be a somewhat unexpected film to come from Johnnie To for those who know the director as the mastermind of Hong Kong crime cinema, especially for his bullet-buzzing ballet sequences. The characters in Sparrow have such a stern look on their faces, often evocative of Buster Keaton-like films, and there are no bullets. Kei, a carefree guy who likes to take black-and-white photographs, do needlework and raise his pet sparrow, is actually a legendary Hong Kong pickpocket. One day, a mysterious lady approaches Kei’s gang with a request. Part musical, part comedy, the romantic adventure set in a dark gangster-land results in the duel between two master pickpocket gangs. Though optimism and humor are a departure from To’s original signature style, Sparrow turns genre cliches into a fully original Johnnie To movie with daring cinematic style. A mere bloodstain on the tip of a pickpocket′s finger at the climax duel on a rainy night is enough to prove it. (KANG Sowon)