“Curse of the Golden Flower” (Sony Classic Pictures)
A Greek Tragedy – Chinese Style
Director Yimou Zhang has brought us exciting and visually stunning movies in the past such as “Hero” and “House of a Thousand Daggers.” Now he equals them with “Curse of the Golden Flower,” a stunningly beautiful film about the royal family of China in the tenth century. Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li play the monarchs and they are outstanding in their roles. This is a soap opera to be sure but it is a stylish soap opera in the best sense of the word.
The basic plot of the film is one concerning palace intrigue. The Emperor has three sons. Crown Prince Xiang (Liu Ye) is from his first marriage. His next two sons are from his current marriage to the Empress Phoenix. The Empress is a force unto herself and his been involved with the Crown Prince. He however is in love with Chan (Li Man) who is the daughter of the court physician.
The Emperor is poisoning the Empress by putting poison in the medicine she takes daily. Chan is the one who slips it into her drink. It has a slow affect and takes a while to become potent. Meanwhile the Empress is busy embroidering chrysanthemums on everything so that she can have an identity for the revolt she is planning. And this is only the tip of the iceberg of the plot.
All of the actors are great in their roles with Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li being at the top of their game. They “emote” in this highly tense story and make the characters come vibrantly to life. This is a film where it is fitting to go over the top in their performances.
As good as the story and the acting are, it is in the visuals where the film excels. The colors are so rich and so varied that it is like a kaleidoscope in many scenes. All of the colors are rich and extreme and they are part of the settings as well as the costumes. Plus in this movie it does truly look as if there is a cast of thousands. When the armies are on view, it looks like that stretch from here to eternity.
Then there is a wonderful scene where black clad ninjas sail through the air to attack a village. It is amazing how they get these men into the air and then have them drift to earth, and they come down with their weapons flashing.
The film is rated R for violence.
The movie is subtitled and this is off putting to some audiences, but it is much better to see it this way than to have the language dubbed in. Plus once you get used to reading the dialogue it becomes second nature.
For sheer entertainment you can’t beat “Curse of the Golden Flower.” It has it all – plots, passions, murders and revenge. And on top of that it is a visual feast. Mark down “Curse of the Golden Flower” as a movie to see.
I scored “Curse of the Golden Flower” a blooming 7 out of 10.
