本片是山中貞雄的遺作,也是他的“時代劇的庶民電影”的代表作之一。他在片中吸取了美國電影和法國電影的影響,並受到摯友兼老師小津安二郎的“小庶民電影 ”美學影響,將歷史上江戶時代的小人物形像注入現代庶民的語言、性格、行止、靈魂,成就了一部難得的社會現實主義的佳作。故事發生於十八世紀德川幕府時代,以悲涼調子訴說德川幕府時期低下層的生活,開頭與結尾都是自殺場景,映照出舊時日本社會草根階層的悲哀。另外,山中的剪輯流暢自如,視覺風格鋒如日本繪畫,演員表演也很自然。此片公認為山中最好的作品,也是他僅存的三部電影之一。Humanity and Paper Balloons,unlike most other Japanese films of this period,is a historical film with a critical edge.Refusing to glorify samurai,the film insteaddeflates the myth around them with a gentle humanity. The film opens directly after a penurious ronin samurai has taken his own life.At his funeral his neighbors from his slum mourn his death. Here the film introduces another ronin samurai who lives in equal poverty. Having pawned his sword for food,the samurai searches for work but to no avail. The family's only income comes from the little balloon children's toys made by the wife.Out of desperation,the samurai abets in an attempted kidnapping. After finding out,the wife kills him in his sleep and then takes her own life, closing the film's narrative circle.Brian Whitener, All Movie Guide.
阿Mike(吴彦祖 饰)出身警察之家,可惜父母早死,与舅舅住在一起,一直被当作多余的人。在警局做警察太过拼命,又成为同行的眼中钉。内心郁闷只有在警局locker一个人冲凉时才能缓解。一次任务中的意外让Mike受到处分,组长刘Sir让他放假。Mike在打游戏机的时候偶遇洪兴大哥任擎天(曾志伟 饰),二人结缘。随后在酒楼又偶遇任的妻子Pauline(关秀媚 饰),Mike被美丽的阿嫂吸引。刘Sir最终决定让Mike去做卧底,埋伏在任的身边,而一直郁郁不得志的Mike却自打着出人头地的如意算盘……