This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Set in Hong Kong at the eve of the handover, Jeremy Irons stars as an expat freelance journalist in love with an unattainable local woman. A piece of unsettling news prompts him to distance himself from her, making the most of his last days in the territory.The acting by both leads was superb. As another review has noted the way it was shot made it feel like a documentary, with Jeremy Irons narrating over several scene transitions and pouring out his confessions and regrets.The whole experience feels honest and captures the mood of Hong Kong in the 90s perfectly. Chinese Box is a fitting a tribute to the city itself, the ever bustling backdrop to a genuine love story.8/10

Submission would be a good first word for the description of Wayne Wang's "Chinese Box".John(Jeremy Irons),is a British photojournalist who lives and works in Hong Kong, and who is suffering from unrequited love for Vivian(Gong Li). With the approaching political changeover, John is feeling a deep sense of melancholy that is deepened when his doctor gives him some bad news about him having leukemia. The bulk of the film follows him as he makes one last, desperate play for Vivian. However, his attempt to win her over is doomed to fail, not only by the changing political tides, but by a series of dark secrets that emerge from both of their pasts. A subplot of greater interest centers on John's endeavor to record the life story of Jean(Maggie Cheung), a street hustler with a burned face. This pretty much sums up the plot.First of all let me say it is interesting too see Wangs view on the situation with China and Britain and their all time taboo "Hong Kong". A lot of cities have been illuminated for freedom, (which looks now almost like a new trend, if you look at the former Soviets states.) Wang doesn't seem to really pick a side, weather it is for Britain or China, which makes it pleasant to watch.The issue here is the love story, which is the biggest barricade here. Although The actors are good, the plot just doesn't seem to be going somewhere. Some people might view this as a flaw, but it really is just a point of view, not so really much TELLING than SHOWING a story. there is a difference.Irons seems to be in his element (after M.Butterfly) and makes a good stand, in keeping up where the story falls down. Gong Li also makes a good impression, but she doesn't seem to have the same intensity as her processors in films like "Farewell my Concubine" or "In the Mood for Love". Being the mistress of a rather pathetic Chinese salary man (I know that the term is Japanese but this is the best way to subscribe him). Not highly but of some level, and she fits nicely around Irons.Maggie Cheung, and her character is the one who is standing out in both story as well as in acting. Somehow it doesn't really fit in here, therefore it was a smart move of Wang to let it be a "side"story.Remarkable is the music by Greame Revell, who delivers a brilliant Chinese Score for this film. You can hear that he tried to find the things that made China what it is, and if you listen to the music then it doesn't sound like china, it IS china, if you understand what I am getting at (Revell isn't imitating, but he is recomposing). Nice sound design, and the song Reuben Blades sings when Irons leaves the hospital is just wonderful, with very emotional lyrics.The cinematography is at some points interesting but not of a high art. Wangs direction isn't brilliant, but it holds up. WHat makes this movie so good then. The feeling, and the lead actor Jeremy Irons.

Jeremy Irons is the main reason for seeing this movie, the title "Chinese Box" implying that this story has many layers and hidden meanings, as does a Chinese Box. Irons is a journalist in Hong Kong, New years' eve of 1997, when the British rule and occupation are to begin it phase out. He loves a Chinese woman who, because of her trade cannot marry him, nor the Chinese man who loves her. I was immediately put off by the background music, although it may have been faithful to Hong Kong. Still, I thought it was irritating mostly. I was also put off by the preponderance of hand-held camera shots, and not even steadycam! Plus, the many scenes shot on a small digital camera. True, all that contributed to the 'mood', but I guess I was just not 'in the mood'!! As I told my wife, "This is probably a better movie than I was able to enjoy.The best part of the film, to me, was the actual singing of Reubin Blades, along with his guitar self-accompaniment. I rate it "6" of 10 and worth a view for anyone who likes slow-moving, complexly developed relationships.

I liked the "Chinese Box" and found this movie rather interesting and enjoyable, but what I really think is worth mentioning is Vivan's (Gong Li) attitude, so typical of an eastern woman. Splendid performance! This "insight" of the eastern woman is rare in a western movie and deserves due note.