I'M DREAMING.
Leave it to Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern, The Road Home, others)--a man who has now entered into the mainstream as what most consider a visionary of sorts--to take all of the positives of his previous wuxia-style film (that being 2002's Hero), and build on it in almost every way. It's precisely what he's done with his newest magnum opus, House of Flying Daggers. And trust me, after seeing the screen fade to black and the credits roll, you'll be left with no doubt in your mind that it was an experience.
After Hero was released in early 2004 (with critical acclaim, no less), many thought that another Yimou film would not live up to the ridiculously high standards that it had set. HoFD has done just that, and, above all else, has done it with style, dammit.
What begins as simple as a story of a police force trying to shut down a rebel faction that combats the government frequently (the titular Flying Daggers), ends up to be a tale of love and drama not quite like anything else before it. For every expected turn the story takes, two more twists replace it. By the final moments of the film, you'll not only be filled with questions, you'll be itching for more. And, in the end, isn't that what really matters in a film?
Of course, none of this could be pulled off with such panache if the team of actors failed to deliver. Thank GOD that's not the case. Zhang Ziyi, who plays the lead role of Mei, a member of the Flying Daggers (who also happens to be 'blind'), plays her role with emotion AS WELL AS passion; as we've come to expect from her, judging by past roles. As most can attest, if a woman stays with a blind girl to see how she moves and does tasks, you can expect a certain level of dedication to the project.
Andy Lau and Takeshiro Kaneshi play great supporting roles and Mei's love interest(s)...and, well, what can I say: the final battle between the two as they fight over Ziyi's character is simply breathtaking. Certainly one that will remain a high movie watermark for years to come. Andy Lau plays Leo, a member of the police force who remains emotionally attached to Mei, although she has become distant (near the end of the movie, Leo is involved in a plot twist that I definitely didn't expect). Takeshi Kaneshiro, on the other hand, plays Jin, who is also a member of the police force, working undercover, hoping to discover the location of the head of the Flying Daggers. His character is playful and almost carefree throughout the entire movie. Both actors stay in character throughout the entire film and present a believable environment.
One cannot go through this entire review without a mention of the cinematography. Xiaoding Zhao (who directed the cinematography of the film) has outdone Hero...and oh it's amazing. The entire film is so beautiful and compelling, even if there was no notion of a plot, it would still be worth watching. Sometime midway through the film, it got to the point where I wondered whether I was asleep. Dreamlike, it is.
WAKE UP.
Unfortunately, the film is not without it's flaws (admittedly, there aren't many of them). Despite brilliant acting, the story cannot be saved from stilted character development. Simply put, Yimou only had 119 minutes to make us feel for the characters, and it's a hard task. The serious lack of any noticeable detail into what had happened to each of the characters in the past is a downer. Leo and Mei were in love, but their backstory is surprisingly under-developed and disappointing. Jin is "careless like the wind", but we learn very little about how he got this way/how he got this job in the police force.
Some minor questions are raised throughout the film, and many are left unanswered. How did the Flying Daggers get their start? What has happened to the Flying Daggers' leader's daughter? It's unfortunate to not know the solutions to these questions, and it makes for a less enjoyable experience. Again, they're minor, and the plot still works surprisingly well without knowing these things, but it's still frustrating.
Many "hardcore" kung-fu fans are angered by the film. They think that it's not worthy of belonging in the genre. Quite simply, it doesn't. HoFD is NOT a kung-fu film, by any stretch of imagination. At it's most basic level, it's a love story with some staples of the wuxia genre. Which is fine.
After all, Zhang Yimou can only appeal to so many different audiences. He can only make it work to a certain extent. Some will love this film (I know I did), and some will not. In reality, Yimou is JUST a human. This is what this is.
REALITY IS A BURDEN, ISN'T IT?
What makes this film so interesting is it's reach not only in the world of cinema, but the real world. Produced in communist China, in a country whose traditions fall heavily into working towards the greater good, it really stands out (of course I mean that in the best possible way). One theme shines through, above all else: that of individualism.
Hero was passed off by quite a few because they considered it to be communist propaganda. In the end of it, Jet Li's character refuses to go through with what he originally planned (the assassination of the emperor), because he was convinced that letting the man live would, in the long run, help the greater good. There it is again, that phrase..."greater good". Sound like something that would be uttered by a supporter of the current government of China?
With HoFD, Zhang Yimou has removed any idea that his films are just "music to the ears" of the Chinese Government. I'm surprised that it even got by government censors, honestly. Check it out: Jin and Mei love each other, and plan, near the end of the movie, to elope, despite being on opposing sides. It's OUTRAGEOUS. It's a breaking of what was held SACRED in the time period. It does not work in the favor of the (wait for it) GREATER GOOD.
Zhang Yimou has dropped us a subtle hint here, you just have to look hard for it.
IN THE END...
The film is enjoyable. You can't deny that. The film is beautiful. You can't deny that. The acting is great. You can't deny that. It's fun. You can't deny that. And, naturally, it works. You can enjoy it from start to finish. You can marvel at the amazing fight scenes. You can recognize the beautiful backgrounds as warriors clash and lovers love.
Yet, at the same time you can also appreciate the deep underlying themes Yimou has thrown our way. And realize the environment in which it's been created. And the risks that it has taken.
It's a film that's enjoyable in more levels than one.
Discussions
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