MING GHOST
A film review by Leong Heng Cheong
Copyright 1992 Leong Heng Cheong
(This review contains a small spoiler at the end, marked by control-L...)
MING GHOST (Chinese title: AH-YING) is directed by Qiu Kangjian, and starred Joel Wong (of A CHINESE GHOST STORY fame) in the title role. Rated PG in Singapore, this film contains explicit language and an adult theme. Note that the English subtitles are more explicit than the actual dialogue used.
MING GHOST reminds me of JU-DOU, and it is not only because the Chinese title of both films refers to the lead character's name. MING GHOST is also slow-paced, and concentrates a lot on cinematography. A friend of mine who watched with me remarked that this looks more like the usual China production with a slower pace than the usual fast-paced Hong Kong action film.
In the film, a Ming minister was killed outside the city, while his wife, Ah-Ying, might or might not have been raped. An eyewitness was found, and he quickly identified the murderer. However, the accounts of the eyewitness, the "murderer," and Ah-Ying were all different. What is the truth?
A very standard storyline, but not your standard HK direction style. The pace is deliberately slowed down, allowing the viewer to think, or to enjoy the visual it presents. Depthwise -- my friend "claimed" that he knew the solution to the mystery very early during the movie, and I have to agree that it is not really that difficult to figure out. The story is not resolved the way I would have liked it to be, but it is not unfit nor tagged on. (I liked the ending scene though....)
However, this film also features some beautiful visuals. Like Zhang Yimou (director of JU-DOU), Qiu Kangjian made an effort to create beautiful visuals. In some parts of the movie, these efforts seem overdone to me.... However, there are quite a few scenes that worked with me. Many of these scenes are not original in the international scene, but is quite an achievement for a Hong Kong movie.
Acting is generally good. No exaggerations on the part of the actors -- probably due to the fact that this film doesn't resolve to using slapstick humour to bring in the crowds.
And I don't think I should miss mentioning about the soundtrack, one of the most beautiful element of this film -- it presented a very haunting effect. And, unlike in most movies, the music fits into the movie very well.
Over all, quite an enjoyable film. It should interest those looking for a story, and those looking to be entertained by visuals. Problem is: can you find the film? In Singapore, it only played in the Singapore Film Festival this May. It is in general release here last weekend, but the very limited run in several theatres ended a few days later. (Very poor box-office).
Spoilers...
The English title of this film is actually a small spoiler to the ending and the true identity of one of the characters in the film.
Heng Cheong hcleong@iti.gov.sg
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