Curse of the Golden Flower or The Empresses’ New Groove
While long lines of people waited to see Pan’s Labyrinth, friends and I headed for another subtitled film: The Curse of Golden Flower. Similar to Hero, Director Yimou Zhang delivered a film of epic, Shakespearen porportions that feels like it can only be appreciated from a bird’s eye view.
The detail that was invested in the tapestries, furniture and jewelry are breathtaking. These weren’t just set pieces or props, they were the stars of the film. The film starts off on the right foot, introducing a mindblowingly beautiful palace inhabited by an equally beautiful, yet dark and twisted, family. The colors are rich and vibrant. Hundreds of female extras wearing gorgeous silk robes pitter-patter through the hallways, breasts pushed up and heaving, eyes cast down in respect. It’s lush, sensuous and a perfect introduction for the story that lies ahead. There is intrigue, incest, betrayal and secrets to be revealed-all key elements in a Greek tragedy. Unfortunately, the end of the film feels like it unravels into sheer lunacy than the measured, graceful tragic ending that we’re more familiar with. Yimou Zhang creates an overwhelming sense of tradition, ceremony and delusion. Despite all the shocking revelations throughout the film, it becomes more difficult to grasp what’s happening or what it all really means.
Gong Li’s ability to emote without barely moving a facial muscle has made her one of my favorite actresses. Her manaically yet poised emperor-husband (played brilliantly by Chow Yun Fat) is slowly poisoning her. If it weren’t for her constant gasping and quivering throughout the film, you’d never know it: she looks stunning in every shot. After 114 minutes, I had had enough.
Curse of the Golden Flower is certainly not Yimou Zhang’s best work (I’m looking at you too, House of Flying Daggers!) but it may be the result of poor English translation and the gulf that seperates American and ancient Chinese culture. Depending on your patience for long, elaborate Chinese films this may be one to skip. Otherwise, drink in the scenery and stellar preformances but be prepared to be stumped by the absurdity of royalty.
January 20th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I haven’t been to the movies in a while. I think the last movie I went to see was “Tenacious D & The Pick of Destiny” which is as terrible as its title suggests.
I would like to go and see this movie but none of my friends are interested in seeing it with me. Psh. Time to get some new friends, I think. ;D
January 21st, 2007 at 4:21 pm
I remember really liking Li Gong in “2046.” But then again, I really just liked 2046 altogether.
I’ve not actually heard of this movie yet, shame on me! *goes to look up a trailer*
January 21st, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Vanessa, I loved her in “In the Mood for Love” as well, great imagery in both films.
Anna, I keep trying to convince myself that I like Jack Black and then every time I see a film of his I remember that I don’t.
January 22nd, 2007 at 8:49 pm
It’s a real pity that this film isn’t out in Australia yet, or else my friends would’ve dragged me to see it - instead, we’ve watched all the semi-promising films and have settled to wandering around the mall gawking at shops, which is quite diverting in itself.
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:24 pm
I was wondering what that movie was about. Now I want to go see it. Maybe next week. My bestfriend and I have kinda been going to the movies almost once a week.
I hadn’t heard of this movie till the other day, I still havn’t looked for the trailer. I should go do that.
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Jen, it’d probably be a better rental anyway…because at least you can pause it for a bathroom break!
Becca, I love going to the cinema or watching rentals. Sometimes I feel like I’ve seen everything
January 24th, 2007 at 1:46 am
I’m not sure whether the mediocrity of the film is a result of poor translation since I haven’t watched the film yet, but your hypothesis might be right. They do often translate some parts of foreign films incorrectly, especially when it comes to slang in another language. It definitely makes me go “WTF” when I’m reading an incorrect English translation to a Chinese movie.
January 25th, 2007 at 2:05 am
Hey! I’m poking my head around my regular reads, but I’m so glad that someone else has seen this movie (so I have someone to chit chat with about it.)
I usually try not to get caught up in the subtitles, but what I did catch of it was way too stylized and formal. Overall in Chinese movies, the translation is often stiff and conveys a different tone than what is actually said. My Korean friend even noticed that sometimes a character saying a few words will generate a long-winded translation. I wouldn’t say it’s a cultural thing, movies that make it to the theatres in the US tend to have mediocre reception in China.
I think my favorite part of that movie was watching a horde of servants appear out of no where. Then there was the scenery and the visuals. Gong Li and Jay Chou also made my day.
Anyways, here was my write up about it - http://ladyfatale.livejournal.com/28760.html
January 25th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Caroline, thanks so much for your comment. I think the director took some liberties with how royalty is treated during that time period. It’s probably not completely accurate, but as my boyfriend had suggested, perhaps that’s his whole commentary of the film: the insufficiency of Chinese royalty. If my boyfriend’s right, I don’t think that was properly conveyed. Still, it’s a movie that foreign film lovers should see at some point.
January 30th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
I will vote for “To Live” as his finest movie. The acting that the lead character pulls off, the father, is fanastic, I think.
The movie itself really conveys the difficulty and struggle of fifty years of Chinese experience–the struggle, the oppression, the demagoguery–effectively and without great burden on the audience. Great flick.