Review of 'Curse of the Golden Flower'

CREATOR: gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v62), default quality In early China an Emperor returns home after several years on the battlefield just before the Chong Yang Festival. While he has been absent life has moved on and gotten more complicated for the members of his royal household: His empress and three sons. One of the sons is having an affair with the Empress while the Empress herself appears to be slowly dying despite the regular drugs administered by the royal physician. Is she being poisoned? What are the secrets that drive this royal family?

Chow Yun Fat gives a tremendous performance of the stately and aloof Emperor in this the most expensive movie ever produced in China. Looking at what is on screen, it is not hard to see why this is the case: The colours on the screen are vivid as are the visuals including spectacular fight scenes not forgetting a truly overwhelming battle scene towards the end of the film. Do not expect action, action, action though as much of the film proceeds at quite a leisurely pace with a lot of emphasis on character (and quite interesting characters as well).

An interesting story but a bit slow paced at times never mind confusing. Perhaps a bit over the top in places I did find it very good nonetheless. Not quite a “Hero” or “House of the Flying Daggers” but a very different type of movie for Yimou Zhang.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2007-04-15


Directed by: Yimou Zhang

Studio: Beijing New Picture Film Co.

Year: 2006

Length: 114 minutes

Genre: Fantasy

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473444/


Other reviewed films by Yimou Zhang: