Curse of the Golden Flower

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Gary P Over the top acting. Over the top action. Looks like the Olympics opening Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/18/24 Full Review Alec B Gorgeous to look at and I think the operatic plot works as it has the right balance of camp and legitimate emotional payoff. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/24 Full Review R 9 Now that's awesome! Where to start with 'Curse of the Golden Flower'? Firstly, I need to show some appreciation for the score - incredible! From the very first scene I knew I was in for a treat in that department, it sets the tone perfectly throughout. This also features outstanding performances from Gong Li (!), Chow Yun-fat, Chen Jin and Jay Chou, among some others. I was particularly impressed by Gong, she truly is terrific from beginning to end - as what is a memorable character. I know I say this a lot with actors, but I'm gonna need to try and check out more of her filmography! Chow is the only actor in this that I'm familiar with, but this clearly tops what I've seen (not enough, granted) of him thus far - still a fan of him as Sao Feng in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End', though. The rest of those onscreen, despite the commanding presence of the aforementioned, still manage to standout in my memory as well, from earlier noted Chen and Chou to Li Man to Liu Ye. The costumes, the sets... I personally do not think this film really put a foot wrong in terms of how it's made. How about those battle sequences too? Visually stunning, but also audibly so. The ending didn't go the way I was expecting, which is very much a positive thing. Admittedly, this film hit an unwritten cheat code for me. As in: Give me strong performances and a great score and I am hook, line, and sinker. This Zhang Yimou flick gave me that in abundance. Overall, in my opinion: top notch! Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/23/23 Full Review isla s This film features lots of impressive martial arts style, well choreographed fighting, large scale battles and its certainly lavishly stylish. Thematically its about jealousy, infidelity and anger. Its a bit hard to follow the plot in its entirety but its an entertaining watch regardless. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Gorgeous to look at and I think the operatic plot works as it has the right balance of camp and legitimate emotional payoff. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review matthew d A lovely epic with all the masterful grace of Zhang Yimou's other classic pictures! Director Zhang Yimou's Chinese epic wuxia drama Curse of the Golden Flower (2006) is truly one of the greatest films ever made. Yimou's direction is as peerless as for his other beautifully shot and meticulously crafted pictures like Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and Shadow. Yimou's direction features incredible synchronicity of mass extras whether it's grinding herbs with mortar and pestle or armies clashing in grand, bloody battles. I honestly don't know how Yimou can even direct epics so lovely with vibrant colors and precise direction. You always know what every character is feeling or thinking with his strikingly emotive direction. Curse of the Golden Flower is poetic in tone, yet brilliantly plotted with palace intrigue and vicious combat much like Yimou's Shadow. Producers William Kong and Zhang Weiping got a large budget for Curse of the Golden Flower with dazzling sets, costumes, and props like few other films could ever compare. Curse of the Golden Flower is visually breathtaking with Yimou directing astonishing scene after scene. Tingxiao Huo's production design is inspired with rainbow and crystal pillars with golden fabrics and bead curtains everywhere. I'm not even sure how they made these brilliant sets. Frankie Chung's visual effects look real for the duplicated scores of soldiers to the blood bursts, is what I'm assuming had visual effects, as everything looks completely real to me. Writers Zhang Yimou, Bian Zhihong, and Nan Wu adapted Yu Cao's play Thunderstorm (1934) beautifully. The Imperial Court of ancient China's Tang dynasty for the setting is an expressive political drama with contentious family dynamics. All the palace intrigue, scandal, romance, and pain is fascinating. Watching the film now made me think of William Shakespeare's Hamlet and King Lear in one motion picture. Gong Li is absolutely gorgeous as she delivers a devastating dramatic performance as Empress Phoenix in Curse of the Golden Flower. She expresses sincere love and concern for her children, while in agony for her own misery and awful situation. I will not spoil a moment of Yimou's unbelievable story full of shocking twists and unreal revelations. Chow Yun-Fat is a real cruel and vindictive monster as Emperor Ping. He really gets to play a different part than his usual kind and reserved characters. Jay Chou is sympathetic as Prince Zhai with his genuine empathy for Gong Li's long suffering mother figure. Liu Ye is intriguing as Crown Prince Wan with his complicated love life and sorrowful expressions. Qin Junjie is excellent as Prince Yu with his own ambitions and surveillance. Li Man is lovely and intriguing as Jiang Chan. Ni Dahong is engaging and subtle as Imperial Physician Jiang. Chen Jin is really empathetic and cool as the Imperial Physician's wife. Editor Cheng Long's sharp cuts are so striking between scenes that 114 minutes feels like 30. His quick cuts during sword fights and combat tenderly express the beauty of motion with subtle editing. Cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding shoots immaculate wide shots with precise storytelling. You're always focused on the main characters among the hundreds of extras around the palace. His emotional close-ups are deeply moving and serene in nature. Composer Shigeru Umebayashi's tranquil and ominous score is phenomenal. From gentle melodies to thundering symphonies, Curse of the Golden Flower's music is mesmerizing. Shigeru Umebayashi's score is thoughtfully composed and fits Yimou's film with a haunting sense of foreboding. Jing Tao's sound makes drums and spears echo across your mind. Kenneth Yee's costumes have to be seen to be believed. From cascading golden fabrics to ornate jewelry and armor or engraved sword props, every single dress or robe is perfect. In conclusion, Zhang Yimou directed another flawless film with Curse of the Golden Flower. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Curse of the Golden Flower

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