For the last few years, director Zhang Yimou has been crafting epic, martial arts fantasies like HERO and HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS. CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER may be his most epic yet. However not in the action set-piece sense of the world, but more so like a Shakespearean tragedy.
Empress Phoenix (Gong Li, MEMORIES OF A GEISHA) is slowly being poisoned by her heartless husband Emperor Ping (Chow Yun-Fat, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON). The Empress is having an affair with her stepson Prince Xiang (Liu Ye, THE PROMISE), who is sleeping with Chan (Man Li, film debut), daughter of the imperial physician (Dahong Ni, TO LIVE). Returning home from battle is middle son, Prince Jie (Jay Chou, HIDDEN TRACK), who is torn between his devotion to his mother and his loyalty to his father. Jie is idolized by his younger brother Cheng (Qin Junjie, film debut). Also figuring into the mix is a mysterious ninja (Chen Jin), who holds dark secrets to the Emperor's past.
At the core of the story is the hatred between the Empress and the Emperor, who ascended the throne via marriage and shady behavior. All the tragedy that happens can be linked right back to Ping's lust for power. Gong and Chow's performances capture the perfect grand tone without being over-the-top. Because of the distraction of reading subtitles, I've always been impressed with performances that reach across language barriers and can still connect on a performance level. Gong and Chow give that quality to this film. Additionally, the melodramatic plot never spins things too out of control. However, my main complaint with the narrative is that it only skims the surface of the characters, for it is more interested in the family dynamics than with complex characterizations.
Nonetheless, the plots and double crossings are entertaining like any good melodrama. Additionally, we are treated to Zhang's wonderful visual style. Bold color plays almost equal billing to the actors. From the costume to the set design, the film is visually magnificent. It's the best part of the film. The climax comes during the Chrysanthemum Festival where a giant courtyard is filled with pots of yellow flowers. A nice touch at the end of the bloody battle is a great visual display of the Emperor's power.
Less an action film than HERO and DAGGERS, this film will appeal more to family drama fans than adventure hounds. Visually stunning and dramatically intriguing, CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER is like HAMLET performed by the Peking Circus.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
