Chinese Box

R

1997

1h 40m

Drama

List

64%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

During the last months of Britain's control of Hong Kong, journalist John (Jeremy Irons) discovers he has only a few months to live. He decides to use the time to pursue his friend Vivian (Gong Li), who is already engaged to another man. Realizing he has never truly engaged with Hong Kong in his 15 years there, John begins walking with a video camera, recording street life and interviewing people like street vendor Jean (Maggie Cheung), in an effort to capture the real Hong Kong before he dies.

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william d

Even the talent and beauty of Gong Li can't salvage this boring melodrama.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

adam b

An amazing film that hit me deeply. A must see for Jeremy Iron fans

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

a b

Poignant story, if somewhat frustrating, and good actors. It does seem like more could happen, the film is almost more of a contemplation. I enjoyed it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

another winner from one of my fave WORKING directors, Wayne Wang ('the joy luck club' and 'smoke'

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

sexy movie but ultimately not one of jeremy irons best. the story is a little congusing but still worth watching.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Boring (I mean, unwatchable) movie, from the beginning to the end. Jeremy Irons plays a tormented journalist who takes disgusting things and wants to know irrelevant stuff in order to publish. The DVD box suggests the movie is about a forbidden love between a single englishman and a married chinese woman. This could only happen during the last 15 minutes of the film.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

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Wayne Wang

Director

Jeremy Irons

John

Gong Li

Vivian

Maggie Cheung

Jean

Michael Hui

Chang

Rubén Blades

Jim

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Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 12, 2002

Full Review

Russell Smith

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

A jocular yet melancholy Rubén Blades tags along as Irons' sounding board, and Maggie Cheung delights and intrigues as a street performer.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 3/5

Oct 10, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Aug 11, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

During the last months of Britain's control of Hong Kong, journalist John (Jeremy Irons) discovers he has only a few months to live. He decides to use the time to pursue his friend Vivian (Gong Li), who is already engaged to another man. Realizing he has never truly engaged with Hong Kong in his 15 years there, John begins walking with a video camera, recording street life and interviewing people like street vendor Jean (Maggie Cheung), in an effort to capture the real Hong Kong before he dies.

Director: Wayne Wang
Producer: Michiyo Yoshizaki, Reinhard Brundig, Akinori Inaba, Jean Labadie
Screenwriter: Jean-Claude Carrière
Production Co: Canal+, Pony Canyon Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 30, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.2M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround