Chinese Box

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Chinese Box

R

1997

1h 40m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

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.

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

I have always been drawn toward stories of exile and expatriation, of people living as strangers in strange lands. I enjoy their bittersweet longing for other places and other friends.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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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

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Aug 11, 2005

Full Review

Dragan Antulov

rec.arts.movies.reviews

Rated: 4/10

May 17, 2004

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rated: 4/5

Nov 14, 2003

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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

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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

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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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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: Lydia Dean Pilcher, Jean-Louis Piel
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