A Major Disappointment

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

You want to understand more about China and Chinese communism? This is the film you should see. It shows the struggles of one family through the Chinese Civil War, The Great Leap Forward, The Cultural Revolution, and beyond. Each of these periods had their own horrors; but of all of these, The Cultural Revolution was the worst. "Out WIth the Olds and In WIth the News" was a major motto of The Cultural Revolution; which sounds like a good idea at first. But if you consider for a moment allowing all your college students to run everything in the country, you will soon realize that this is a concept of complete madness. The film shows us this madness in painstaking form. Hospitals without doctors; universities without professors; young people running everything; complete chaos. Zhang Yimou, the greatest director in the history of Chinese film, and one of the greatest of all directors from all countries, was a master with the camera; and he captures all of the misery that China went through during these decades. Gong Li, the greatest Chinese actress of all time, who would go on to make several other gems for Zhang, gives an Academy Award-level performance, as does the male lead, Ge You. This is one of best half-dozen films ever made in China. Don't miss it.

Very often in movies that approach the subject of social revolution, a lot of screen time is committed to the more horrific aspects of it. This makes sense- violence puts asses in seats, as they say. However there is something to be said about a movie that instead delves to a more personal level, and shows just how much a system to devalues the individual can affect a family. To Live does this, and the impact it brings is notable. Xu Fugui and his family experience the communist revolution in China at all stages, and at every stage something is lost. Fugui loses his child during the drive for industry in the Great Leap Forward. Fugui loses his daughter during childbirth when all the doctors are thrown away during the Cultural Revolution. By showing these events, one very much gets involved with Fugui and his family. You root for him to succeed, even though there is no really no hint that he will. You root for his family to overcome the misfortunes that are thrown at him, even though you know that Fugui is almost helpless in the face of them. In all the struggles however, a few moments of happiness are seen. A few moments that show that even during the more chaotic times in China, people still found a way to live.

This is the best movie that I have ever seen.I watched this movie because I was taking a class on the politics of China. When I saw that this movie covered such an expansive time period I thought "great, I will learn something." That I did. I cried, I cheered, I stayed up very late... I made my then future husband watch it... he liked it too, not as much as I do.I tell everyone in conversations about movies that this one is my all time favorite. It took the place of American Beauty, a movie that I have watched about eleven times.So, I recommend it. If I had a lot of money I would pay people to watch this. It is THAT great.

"Is our duty to be accountable to the people. Being accountable to the people means that every word, every action and policy as ours, must be consistent with the interests of the people. And if we make mistakes, we correct them".These are passionate words of Mao Zedong, uttered a few years before proclaiming the People's Republic of China following the triumph of the revolution that the same leader. Like all well-intentioned words of all world leaders, these are not fulfilled to the letter, because the rulers represent the head of chess, but many parts of the government stake, but those have to answer for some of his acts. And, middle managers, many mistakes, excesses and violations of the laws, can be committed by ignorance, dishonesty or abuse of authority... Of course, there will be orders that come from the top and that, conversely, are the media employees who bear the responsibility.Zhang Yimou, without doubt one of the most qualified directors of contemporary cinema and perhaps the number one in China, seems to have the best memories of the Cultural Revolution and movies like "Ju Dou" or "Raise the Red Lantern" which, as this, critics buried the unfortunate actions of the regime, have cost censorship and close supervision to all their projects. "¡LIVE!" is very accurate recreation of the life of a modest family, over several decades that started in the 40'... just on the eve of the People's Revolution. And Yimou accomplished effectively, and with very specific actions that play with feeling, with the freedom of action and expression, and the denial of certain rights, a plea to make it clear that strikes, a full three inches below the breastbone. Gong Li, his muse, his girlfriend and her lover, for several years, Jiazhen embodies the typical woman firm, clear in its objectives, able to survive with courage and fortitude to the worst tragedies. Her husband, Fugui, resembles a bird of ill omen, and the love between them seems born to those who lived no closer. Full of variegated hues, the Xu family life is intense, and she - like any other Family - emerge roses and thorns, while, with great subtlety, Yimou is giving subtle details of the oppression that obscures the legendary, and no doubt significant, under Mao. And if anyone wants to see indirect allusions to what the Chinese now live, you may find something that makes you nod.And there are things like perseverance brings reward, and the good that is hidden in all evil, or as inherent serenity to accept what goes against what is expected, this inspiring film, let us reach for a good reflection.And remember: ¡Whatever happens, you must live!, ¡This is the decision of the brave!