Curse of the Golden Flower

R

Released Dec 21, 2006

1h 54m

History

Drama

Romance

List

66%

125 Reviews

Tomatometer

65%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 928 A.D. a power struggle emerges in the palace of China's emperor (Chow Yun-Fat). A cruel man, he is secretly having his wife (Gong Li) poisoned with a substance that will eventually drive her insane. Meanwhile the empress is having an affair with Prince Wan (Ye Liu), her husband's son from a previous marriage. But the prince secretly wishes to run away with Chan (Li Man), the daughter of the imperial doctor.

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Critics Consensus

Melodrama, swordplay, and CG armies -- fans of martial arts epic will get what they bargain for, though the baroque art direction can be both mesmerizing and exhaustively excessive.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

Yi Mou does show his undeniable expertise in the spectacularly mounted warfare sequences that can rival anything you saw in the Lord of the Ring movies. The wonderfully choreographed martial arts sequences are heartstopping...

Rated: 3/4

Jan 25, 2019

Full Review

Christopher Orr

The Atlantic

Despite its flaws, Curse of the Golden Flower is a diverting enough film, just somewhat flat compared to Zhang's previous epics--a little too willing, perhaps, to let story and action cede the field to costume and set design.

Feb 6, 2018

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Apr 13, 2007

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Mattie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

There's great film hidden somewhere beneath the gold plating and silk brocade. But as it stands, the film we see, while gorgeous to look at, is merely mediocre.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 6, 2019

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Zhang Yimou serves up a sumptuous sensory feast with spectacular set pieces and--crucially--the story, characters, and connection to back it up.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 21, 2012

Full Review

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Zhang's beauty is one of furious defiance

Aug 28, 2009

Full Review

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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 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 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 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 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 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Beautiful movie. Loved the story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Yimou Zhang

Director

Chow Yun-Fat

The Emperor

Gong Li

Empress

Jay Chou

Prince Jai

Ye Liu

Crown Prince Wan

Chen Jin

Imperial Doctor's Wife

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Synopsis

In 928 A.D. a power struggle emerges in the palace of China's emperor (Chow Yun-Fat). A cruel man, he is secretly having his wife (Gong Li) poisoned with a substance that will eventually drive her insane. Meanwhile the empress is having an affair with Prince Wan (Ye Liu), her husband's son from a previous marriage. But the prince secretly wishes to run away with Chan (Li Man), the daughter of the imperial doctor.

Director: Yimou Zhang
Screenwriter: Yimou Zhang, Wu Nan, Bian Zhihong
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Beijing New Picture Film Co., Film Partner International, Edko Films
Rating: R (Violence)
Genre: History, Drama, Romance
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 21, 2006, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.6M
Runtime: 1h 54m

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