Zhang Yimou's best film? Maybe. And a young Gong Li is mesmerizingly beautiful, as always.

A good love triangle story that falters a bit in the end. The one part that I won't forget is the badass kid, he laid down the law.

808

A beautiful film about people making bad decisions all the time. I don't think I understand Chinese culture. Why is it that they inflict pain upon themselves (and then constantly whine about it) instead of just being happy? Hmm.. A seemingly simple but ultimately incomprehensible film. Too incomprehensible for me to really care about it.

Very sad and wonderfully acted drama/tragedy. Gong Li is gorgeous.

735

Another watchable Zhang Yimou film, but not one of his best. The most interesting part is the architecture of the dyeing house and how it pertains to the story: separating characters from each other, providing hiding places, and playing a key role in murder and attempted murder. The story isn't that compelling and it develops predictably according to a standard melodrama formula. The cinematography appeared to be stunning, but it's hard to say because the DVD looked like ass.

#11#, liked, dir Zhang Yimou, Gong Li!, oldies(2) }*{ #90s(e)#, reviews, story.

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