This film was on Sky Movies.
For those that don't know, Formosa has been called Taiwan since 1945 and under Chinese jurisdiction, though attempts at independence has been a stormy affair. This is relevant as it's key to the film, as a distinguished Taiwanese professor is murdered in the U.S.
Stated to be based on actual events, and set in the 1980's, an FBI agent - a quite undistinguished James Van Der Beek, is sent to 'observe and report', which of course he doesn't just do. When his key inside mole is murdered in front of him, a whole can of worms is uncovered, revealing conspiracies from deep within both the U.S and Taiwanese governments.
The movie starts off smartly but soon resorts to bog-standard TV episode crime thriller standards, albeit with a few interesting and unusual locations thrown in. The cast are almost all average and bland. As the film tapered off, one expected some kind of finale to give a memorable boost, but it just blacked out to message boards, telling us that Taiwan is still attempting to break free from China and at this particular moment, the U.S do not acknowledge Taiwan as an independent state.
For those that are concerned by this, then it will obviously be of significance, but I for one, wasn't, really. The story within may hold one's interest and if so, you may enjoy this, but otherwise, I'd have to say don't bother.
For those that don't know, Formosa has been called Taiwan since 1945 and under Chinese jurisdiction, though attempts at independence has been a stormy affair. This is relevant as it's key to the film, as a distinguished Taiwanese professor is murdered in the U.S.
Stated to be based on actual events, and set in the 1980's, an FBI agent - a quite undistinguished James Van Der Beek, is sent to 'observe and report', which of course he doesn't just do. When his key inside mole is murdered in front of him, a whole can of worms is uncovered, revealing conspiracies from deep within both the U.S and Taiwanese governments.
The movie starts off smartly but soon resorts to bog-standard TV episode crime thriller standards, albeit with a few interesting and unusual locations thrown in. The cast are almost all average and bland. As the film tapered off, one expected some kind of finale to give a memorable boost, but it just blacked out to message boards, telling us that Taiwan is still attempting to break free from China and at this particular moment, the U.S do not acknowledge Taiwan as an independent state.
For those that are concerned by this, then it will obviously be of significance, but I for one, wasn't, really. The story within may hold one's interest and if so, you may enjoy this, but otherwise, I'd have to say don't bother.