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      The Flowers of War

      R Released Jan 20, 2012 2h 21m History Drama War List
      42% 59 Reviews Tomatometer 74% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score An American (Christian Bale) tries to protect a group of Chinese students and prostitutes from Japanese soldiers in 1937 Nanjing. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Jan 01 Buy Now

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      The Flowers of War

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      Critics Consensus

      Zhang Yimou's stylistic flair is in full bloom during The Flowers of War, but his colorful treatment of a historical genocide ultimately does a disservice to the horrifying events' inherent drama.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Gregory M This movie was extremely powerful. It is very difficult to understand how anyone could experience watching it and not be deeply affected by it. The absolute brutality and ultimate absurdity of war were both depicted in a way that showed just how one's humanity is amplified and magnified under under the conditions of duress that must be endured during armed conflict. I thought the movie was brilliantly acted and directed. During the course of the film I felt the full spectrum of emotions and I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. Although The Flowers of War was over two hours in length I was completely engaged the entire time. I highly recommend this movie 🎬. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/13/24 Full Review David C What do I think of the movie - I'm visiting Rotten Tomatoes to see if it is worth watching, so what do I know? Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/06/23 Full Review Jared S Believe the audience, not the professional reviewers. It is a beautiful movie, sort of a dark comedy. Christian Bale's charming as an anti-hero. I saw this movie 10 years ago and I'm watching it again and I absolutely love it. I think it is common sense to take the average viewers' word over that of someone who is looking for errors. We are not looking for political correctness. We are not looking for chinks in the story's armor. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming. I've seen thousands of movies so it means a lot to say this isn't the top 10 to 20% of movies I've ever ever seen. Absolutely a work of art. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/23/23 Full Review Grace M Heartbreakingly tragic and beautiful. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/22 Full Review isla s This film features some nice, colourful visual imagery at times (including moments of scenes centering on the churches bright stained glass windows and bright clothing) but there is also a fair amount of jerky/shaky camerawork, making it feel rather disorientating and the Chinese ladies are somewhat infuriatingly argumentative, to start with. As the plot developed, I admired the actions of the main character, John Miller. Knowing that he's played by Christian Bale, I did find myself thinking it seemed perhaps a little ironic that someone well known for playing sometimes somewhat psychopathic killers, would play the hero but then again, he has played Batman and he's a good guy (right?). This is undoubtedly a gritty, grim, war based film. Its pretty tense and fairly engrossing, with a fair amount of bloody violence (some scenes played in slow motion to show the detail of where bullets hit, the trajectory etc.). I suppose it does give you a rough idea of what it may have been like at the time the film is set in - its certainly supposed to be (if only partly) based on true events, I assume - there's some text explaining the context of the situation we witness, provided at the start of the film. I gather the film is based on a novel but I assume there is a certain element of truth to it, regardless. I wouldn't know enough to be able to confirm or deny that as such though. It surprised me how the tone and pace of the film changed quite so quick at times. I suppose it is more thoughtful (in terms of dialogue) than other big action war films, mainly occupied in special effects. I found the Chinese women gave very good performances, showing their sadness and other emotions quite convincingly. Its quite poignant at times. Due to this and the scenes which are more thought provoking and perhaps even somewhat philosophical (to an extent), I would recommend this film, yes. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member NOT the rom-com Amazon advertised. Not even in the same ballpark. . . Probably more accurately, horror! That being said it was a GREAT story and powerful movie. . . But, could have done without some of the scenes. UPDATE: Been up all night long, unable to sleep, EXTREMELY uncomfortable, and honestly, a little shaky. NOT the film for an already-messed-up GWOT vet with a thing for Asian girls! I suppose its poignant and all, and definitely a story worth telling, but. . . Fuck. This. Movie. 🖕🤮🖕 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Tara Brady Irish Times It can look tremendous, even if Zhao Xiaoding's hyper-stylised '90-retro cinematography sits uneasily beside relentless bloodshed and sexual violations. Rated: 3/5 Aug 3, 2012 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Bale is forthright and emotional in the role, and with a hint of boyish vulnerability, even reminds us of his 13-year-old self in Spielberg's Empire of the Sun. Rated: 3/5 Aug 2, 2012 Full Review Nigel Andrews Financial Times Maudlin make-believe in which a molecule of fact has been dropped like vermouth into a martini ... Rated: 2/5 Aug 2, 2012 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Director Zhang Yimou’s respectful but straightforward approach to the story gives it quite a powerful punch even though it employs a few conventions that we’ve seen in several other films. Rated: 4/5 Aug 20, 2022 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row As a melodrama it's passable, solidly crafted entertainment, but one can't escape the nagging feeling that perhaps such ghastly atrocities shouldn't go down this easy. Rated: 2/4 Aug 6, 2019 Full Review Sean Burns Philadelphia Weekly A florid, melodramatic tear-jerker of questionable taste but undeniable emotional impact. May 3, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis An American (Christian Bale) tries to protect a group of Chinese students and prostitutes from Japanese soldiers in 1937 Nanjing.
      Director
      Yimou Zhang
      Screenwriter
      Heng Liu
      Distributor
      Wrekin Hill Ent.
      Production Co
      Beijing New Picture Film Co., Edko Films
      Rating
      R (Brief Strong Language|A Sexual Assault|Disturbing Images|Strong Violence)
      Genre
      History, Drama, War
      Original Language
      Chinese
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jan 20, 2012, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Oct 8, 2016
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $308.2K
      Runtime
      2h 21m
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