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.
In 1974, the ICAC was founded and charged many corrupt officers. Due to this, the officers decided to riot at the ICAC office, led by Sarge who is then talked down by Lau to leave after rioting. In order to pacify the protestors, the government announces an amnesty for any minor offenses before the start of 1977.
Two years later, Henry left Singapore due to being laid off in the housing construction sector. Henry comes to Hong Kong struggling to find engineering work until he meets K.K. Tsang. K.K., misled into believing Henry was more successful than he actually was, agreed to partner with him. They develop a partnership and make millions in real estate over the next 11 years forming Carmen Century, named after Henry's assistant Carmen. During the timeframe, Henry is able to develop more ventures and secure more deals with the bribes of wealth and women.
Meanwhile, Lau leads the ICAC investigation into Henry. Although Lau is able to obtain an arrest warrant, Henry managed to evade prosecution for any of his crimes. Things seem to go well until the 1982-1983 stock market crash, straining Henry's relationship with K.K., whose company is more likely to go under with the police heat on him. K.K. threatens to take Henry down with him unless Henry calls his backer Musharra Hafa, who gives the pair only $5 million instead of the promised $20 million. Henry's lawyer, Kelvin, instructs everyone involved to either stick to a pre-approved story or remain silent if arrested.
Soon after, K.K. disappears and his fate remains unknown as to whether he went into hiding or was eliminated after attempting to flee with the $5 million. Henry agrees to cooperate under the condition his subordinates get released. However, the investigation found no incriminating evidence in his safe. The subordinates are all murdered under Henry's orders including Wan's model wife, to pressure Wan into testifying in his favor. Even Kelvin is found dead, staged as a suicide despite his body being chained in his pool.
A month later, Henry is put on trial, but cleared of all charges when K.K.'s son comes forward and takes the fall for fraud and bribery, resulting in him serving 14 years. In an attempt to capture Henry, Lau tracks down Hafa to the UK where Hafa is being held and tries to convince him to come to Hong Kong to testify. Hafa confessed that he had also been manipulated by Henry and had exposed the identity of an undercover agent named Wensecala. After learning who the agent was, Henry allegedly arranged to have him killed. However, the suspected assassin later denied being hired by Henry. Hafa refuses to return to Hong Kong in fear for his life, especially after the judge in Henry's earlier trial died in a suspicious car crash.
In 1988, Henry is put on trial again when U.S. bankers were arrested for taking bribes from Henry and giving loans to Carmen Century according to the FBI. Henry walks again when his lawyer cites a conflict of interest as the judge in charge of the case bought Carmen Century's stocks 7 years prior, prompting the judge to call a mistrial.
In 1996, Lau gets an extradition order for Hafa to come back to Hong Kong to testify against Henry, leading to a new trial. This time, Henry was successfully convicted. Lau reflects on whether the ten-year pursuit was worth it, as the aftermath reveals that Henry is sentenced to 3 years. A few years later, Carmen Century was liquidated. Major creditors were compensated, but general shareholders received nothing.
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. [2] 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. [3] [10] 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. [3] [11]
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. [12] [5]
