Throw Down

Critics Consensus

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Throw Down Photos

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Movie Info

A man who gave up on himself is redeemed by new and unexpected challenges in this drama from Hong Kong filmmaker Johnny To. Sze-To (Louis Koo) was once a respected judo champion, but he became jaded and lost interest in the sport. Now, Sze-To is an alcoholic who runs a night club and wastes his spare time by spending a massive bankroll he stole from a rival in fight promotion on gambling and liquor. When Sze-To learns that the judo master who was his mentor and teacher has died, it knocks a hole in the wall of booze and despair he's built around himself, and soon two new challenges present themselves. Mona (Cherrie Ying) is an aspiring singer trying to break away from her overly controlling father who arrives at Sze-To's club looking for a gig -- and won't go away until she gets one. And Tony (Aaron Kwok) is a young martial arts prodigy who has heard of Sze-To's former skills in the judo ring; eager to test his skills against a true master, Tony challenges Sze-To to a match, encouraging Sze-To to begin familiarizing himself again with the art of the gentle way.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Art House & International, Drama
Directed By:

Johnnie To
Written By:

Nai-Hoi Yau, Au Kin Yee, Yip Tin-sing, Au Kin Yee, Yau Nai-Hoi
In Theaters:

Jul 1, 2004 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jul 26, 2005
Runtime:

95 minutes
Studio:

China Star Entertainment

Cast

Louis Koo
as Sze-To Bo

Aaron Kwok
as Tony

Cherrie In
as Mona

Tony Leung Ka Fai
as Kong

Siu-Fai Cheung
as Brother Savage

Cherrie Ying
as Mona

Jordan Chan
as Mona's Agent

Calvin Choi
as Jing

Jack Kao
as Mona's Dad

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Critic Reviews for Throw Down

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (2) | DVD (1)

Bursting with gangsters, gambling and human weakness in general, Johnnie To's Throwdown is so strange and idiosyncratic that it's almost surreal.

Jul 22, 2005 | Rating: 4/5

Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
Top Critic
The absolute best neo-samurai judo farce in town.

Jul 19, 2005

Michael Atkinson
Village Voice
Top Critic
Throwdown may not be top-drawer To, but it's still a good introduction to a director who deserves attention.

Aug 2, 2005 | Full Review…

Daniel Eagan
Film Journal International
The film is as beautiful as it is unpredictable.

Jul 22, 2005 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Ken Fox
TV Guide
A compelling remix of aesthetic showmanship and human movement.

Jul 19, 2005 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Ed Gonzalez
Slant Magazine

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for Throw Down

Jun 23, 2009

A pleasant surprise, Adoring & filled with memorable sequences, Feels a bit rushed near the end but overall this is truly what a feel-good movie should be like

Arash X Super Reviewer
Jul 25, 2008

simple plot...deep undertones..inspirational and uplifting message..another fine off-beat Johnny To offering...the scene running in the streets with the money flying about...one of the most memorable cinematic experiences ever..it all comes together for the viewer at the film's conclusion.

alan j Super Reviewer
Sep 10, 2007

One of my favorite movies of all time, and i'm dead serious. Loved every minute of it, only someone bitter with life could dismiss this movie so easily.

Tsubaki S Super Reviewer
Aug 09, 2007

Not Johnnie To's most famous movie, but still a decent movie. People that know him for his action/gun ballets; Exiled, The Mission or Fulltime Killer might not enjoy this much. With a title like Throw Down and it being Judo based, one might think To is replacing his bullets with fists. But the fights are not exciting and just people flipping one another over their shoulders. But that is not what this movie is about. This is just another movie from To that is story driven. Except this time it isn't disguised with action. If you take the time to actually take in the story and the characters, To fans should enjoy this movie.

Kevin " Super Reviewer