# The Goldfinger

The Goldfinger is a 2023 Hong Kong crime drama film written and directed by Felix Chong, starring Tony Leung and Andy Lau. Set in the 1980s, the film is based on the story of Carrian Group, a Hong Kong corporation which rose rapidly before collapsing shortly afterwards due to a corruption scandal.
Budgeted at HK$350 million, production for the film began in February 2021 and wrapped up on 24 May 2021. It was released in Hong Kong and globally on 30 December 2023.

## Plot

When a stock market crash causes the sudden collapse of a multi-billion-dollar company, a ICAC principal investigator Lau Kai-yuen uncovers a criminal conspiracy involving the company’s founder, Henry Ching and becomes entangled in a long-running investigation.

## Cast

* Tony Leung Chiu-wai as Henry Ching Yat-yin
* Andy Lau as Lau Kai-yuen
* Charlene Choi as Carmen Cheung
* Simon Yam as K.K. Tsang
* Michael Ning as Yam Chung
* Alex Fong as Kelvin, Ching's lawyer
* Philip Keung as Musharra Hafa
* Carlos Chan as Ho Ho Wan
* Chin Ka-lok as Sarge
* Catherine Chau as Suen Wei, Lau Kai-yuen's wife.
* Renci Yeung as Lau Wing, Lau Kai-yuen's daughter.
* Will Or as Ng Chi-fai
* Kaki Sham as Johnny
* Ng Siu Hin as Chim Man-wai
* Lam Yiu Sing as Tse Kin-ming

## Production

Production for The Goldfinger began in February 2021, under the English working title Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong. On 20 February 2021, the film held its production commencement press conference at Emperor Cinema located in iSquare in Tsim Sha Tsui where it was attended by Emperor Motion Pictures chairman Albert Yeung, producer Ronald Wong, screenwriter and director Felix Chong, alongside cast members Andy Lau, Tony Leung, Charlene Choi, Simon Yam, Alex Fong, Philip Keung, Chin Ka-lok (who also serves as the film's action director), Carlos Chan and Catherine Chau. According to Yeung, the film is produced at a budget of HK$350 million, a recording-breaking budget for a Hong Kong production, and anticipates the film to break box office records as the highest-grossing Hong Kong film. At the event, Lau revealed he first received from the script producer Wong and after reading it, he believed Leung is the best choice to act as his on-screen opponent. On the other hand, Leung revealed that his and Lau's roles in the film are reversed from their previous collaboration in the Infernal Affairs film series.
Production for The Goldfinger officially wrapped up on 24 May 2021, after filming its climax scene involving Lau and Leung on location in a presidential suite at The Peninsula.

## Release

The Goldfinger was theatrically released on 30 December 2023 simultaneously in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States and Canada.

## Reception
### Box office

In Hong Kong, the film debuted at No. 1 during its opening weekend, grossing HK$9,373,112 during its first two days of release including previews.
The Goldfinger has grossed a total of US$85.6 million worldwide combining its box office totals from Hong Kong (US$5.6 million), China (US$79.7 million), Australia (US$245,443), United Kingdom (US$81,665) and New Zealand ($24,926).

### Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 59% of 22 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.7/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 47 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2024 | 30th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Director | Felix Chong | Nominated |
| 2024 | 30th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Screenplay | Felix Chong | Nominated |
| 2024 | 30th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Actor | Tony Leung Chiu-wai | Nominated |
| 2024 | 30th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Films of Merit | — | Won |
| 2024 | 17th Asian Film Awards | Best Actor | Tony Leung Chiu-wai | Nominated |
| 2024 | 17th Asian Film Awards | Best Costume Design | Man Lim-chung | Won |
| 2024 | 17th Asian Film Awards | Best Production Design | Eric Lam | Won |
| 2024 | Hong Kong Screenwriters' Guild Awards 2023 | Best Movie Character of the Year | Tony Leung Chiu-wai | Nominated |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Film | The Goldfinger | Nominated |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Director | Felix Chong | Nominated |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Screenplay | Felix Chong | Nominated |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actor | Tony Leung Chiu-wai | Won |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Cinematography | Anthony Pun | Won |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Editing | William Chang, Curran Pang | Nominated |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Art Direction | Eric Lam | Won |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Costume & Make Up Design | Man Lim Chung | Won |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Original Film Score | Day Tai | Nominated |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Original Film Song | "Let's Get To The Top" | Nominated |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Visual Effects | Lik Wong, Benson Poon | Won |
| 2024 | 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Sound Design | Nopawat Likitwong | Won |