One of the best films i have seen

Instant Favorite.

A Disappointing Continuation

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

The narration here becomes a character in itself. Initially it takes on the mundane, lifeless quality of Wei Wei's life and domesticity, retelling her daily events with a monotony about it. This is the internalisation of her emotions having been married for 6 years but separated for at least 2. And then as Li Wei arrives as a spark the narrator is silenced and she finds her voice again, no longer disappearing into her thoughts and "floating along in existence". Her mind becomes anew, her eyes see again. Early on we see her wandering aimlessly. With Li by her side, she could stand there all day without care in the world. We see little of the small town. The focus is the love quadrangle, but in particular the childhood sweethearts. Their dialogue is suggestive as they dance around each other; the subtext of their attraction shines through (how many other romances have used this sort of tension - the audacious Hollywood version of it can be found in Gilda). But they only circle, they do not touch. In the Mood for Love was the pinnacle of this theme and we can see its influence here. Intimacy becomes locked in and internalised because it would be a moral wrong. Fei Mu almost doesn't want us to see it, bathing them in a sensual darkness. But it is spring and nature beckons. That final shot is such a poetic reconciliation of all the character's woes.

In my mind, the film had a wonderful visual, such as stylish costumes, well footage countryside, realistic production designing done by Ning Che and Dexiong Zhu and Shengewe Li's decent monochrome cinematography. I did not like the camera fading into black because it looked dull to me. The moving image made the setting look natural: the damaged bricks,reflective lakes,smooth grass, you name it. Shengewe Li's Chiaroscuro was well skilled because it made me feel like I staring into a historical painting. To add, I enjoyed listening to the clever sound effects because it made me feel engaged with Mu Fei directed piece of art. There were only two or three songs but it sounded beautiful like stage opera. In addition, the storyline travelled through relationships and consequences after the Chinese civil war between Kaishek's Nationalists and Mao's Communist's. As an audience, it made me feel like I could moderately empathise with the characters who adapted from the horrific battle between those two parties. I will give the motion picture a 7/10 for its creative piece that is based on a short story by Li Tiana.

Tian's remake is no good at all. I only click on his remake documentary to see Wei Wei, the original actress back in the classic 1948 film say a few words to the crew. We are going to meet Wei Wei this Sunday (28/3/2010) after the showing of Xiao Cheng Zhi Chun in the Hong Kong Film Archiev. Wei Wei is almost 90 years old in silver hair, her cameo appearance in Hong Kong films is always a surprise to her fans. In this year's Hong Kong Film Festival, a special program is dedicated to Fei Mu, director of this epic movie and Wei Wei's still shot from the movie is being seen all around in Hong Kong. My son, who turns 21 this year, is surprised Wei Wei was so beautiful then.

This is a film about deep and unspoken human relationships.Eventually they do become spoken, but is there a chance to change anything about the situation.Originally made in Shanghai 1948 and quite free of propaganda the film introduces us to the Dai Family. There is still some weight about the history that surrounds the family. History usually has weight in Chinese literature and serious film.A young married couple - Liyan, an invalid, and his wife Yuwen live in a once great family compound that is partially ruined.A bright contrast is Liyan's young sister who cannot really remember the past of the family but accepts everything in quite a natural way. Her spirit is as bright as the other two are reserved.Into this apparently stable world comes an unexpected visitor...I ended up feeling quite sad - but definitely a superior film.