Donnie Yen is one of the great legends of Martial Arts Cinema. His performances in Hong Kong treasures such as 1993’s Iron Monkey and 2005’s Kill Zone showed he had versatile acting talents that went beyond his martial arts skills. Yen’s performance in the Ip Man films added to his dramatic cred, while his recent roles in 2021’s Raging Fire and last year’s John Wick: Chapter 4 allowed him to showcase even more sides of his multifaceted talents. Director Lo Chi-Leung’s Polar Rescue, a.k.a. Come Back Home (Sou jiu) proves that Donnie Yen has the skills to carry a film based on his acting abilities, allowing him a canvas to create the finest performance of his career.

Yen stars as “De”, a father enjoying a wintertime trip with his wife, “Xuan” (an equally first-rate Cecilia Han) and their two young children in the Changbai Mountains of northeast China. After an argument with his rebellious 8-year-old son, Lele (Yuan Jinhui) De punishes his son by leaving him behind as a hard lesson in tough love. After 15 minutes, the concerned father returns to find the boy gone. At first, he is disgusted, thinking Lele is hiding nearby to get back at his poppa for being punished. De searches everywhere until annoyance becomes panic, as he realizes Lele is missing. 

With a screenplay from the director, Polar Rescue becomes more than a “race against time” thriller, as it reveals itself more introspective and dramatically potent. This is a tale of a family in emotional turmoil, whose private troubles become public due to the controversy surrounding De’s parenting; the light shone on their marriage, driving a further wedge between Xuan and her husband. There are moments where the melodrama gets pretty strong, but the screenplay’s design and the earnestness of the performances and direction make it work. 

In his multilayered role, Donnie Yen does some truly soulful work. De isn’t a hero, though his determination in finding his son is powerfully inspiring. The character is far from “Father of the Year”, as De is given to fits of anger, taking it out on his son. He isn’t an abusive man, but where his wife has a kinder and more gentle way, De is prone to spankings and the occasional slap. 

Yen’s strong work toys with the audience’s allegiance. It is heartbreaking to watch this man struggle through the snowy forest and iced-over lakes while carrying the weight of his own guilt. As the authorities discover young Lele vanished after his father left him alone for punishment, the police and rescue parties are divided. All want to save the child, but half blame De and are angry to risk their lives for a man they perceive to be unnecessarily harsh to his kids. 

Yen plays it so real that it is impossible for viewers to take a side. This is an achingly convincing portrayal of an imperfect man finding the courage to fight against the odds to find his son. As an actor, the performance presents Yen the opportunity to go deeper than his fans have yet to see and he is quite successful. 

As his wife, Cecilia Han matches Yen with every emotion. Xuan is a kind woman with a soft manner. She treats her children (and husband) with kindness and respect. When certain issues come to light during the investigations, Han creates a woman who wants to protect her family, but must reveal uncomfortable truths about her marriage and her own feelings of regret. 

Director Lo Chi-Leung compliments Yen and Han’s excellent lead performances by capturing the essence of their lives before this unimaginable incident. The filmmaker gives glimpses (in flashback) to the good and bad of De and Xuan’s relationship. With every careful revelation, the audience is let into the intricacies of their love and home life, giving further weight to the intensity of their story. 

The supporting cast is extremely good. A local police officer Qian (a great Jia Bing) is by the book and doesn’t seem to care for De’s “against all odds” attitude, but the actor shows the humanity inside the man as the arc of his character becomes more interesting. 

As judgment towards De becomes harsher. Deputy police director Gao is called in to keep order and focus on the mission. Actor Xu Guangyu brings a committed gravitas to a role that (were it an American production from the 40s or 50s) would be played by Ward Bond or Sterling Hayden. 

There are some thrilling sequences inside this surprising motion picture. A car crash that almost kills Xuan, Lele, and their little daughter (Ai Rui) is a quick but tension-filled moment, while a trek across a thin-iced frozen lake is a nail-biter. 

The film’s most incredible sequence comes in the form of an avalanche that threatens to bury the hundreds of men below. Trapped in a valley with nowhere to take cover, the mountain comes roaring down, the men flee, and viewers are left breathless. 

Polar Rescue is a gripping experience, but succeeds even greater in its perceptive examinations of regret and forgiveness, of those who judge you and of oneself. The CGI can be intrusive now and again, but the story is so strong and well-designed that the work of Lo Chi-Leung, his cast, and his production team make the film something special. This is thrilling work, in both the visceral and the emotional. 

Polar Rescue releases on Blu-ray & Digital March 26 from Well Go USA Entertainment

Polar Rescue

Written and Directed by Lo Chi-Leung

Starring Donnie Yen, Cecilia Han, Jia Bing, Xu Guangyu, Yuan Jinhui

NR, 108 Minutes, Well Go USA Entertainment, China Film Company Ltd.