SHANGHAI TRIAD
A film review by Ben Hoffman
Copyright 1995 Ben Hoffman
When better films will be made than most of the current crop, when we look back to see who were the really great directors, the name of Zhang Yimou will be high on the list. Lacking the equipment in China that many countries have, he has nevertheless turned out some fabulous films. At age 45, he has already to his credit RED SORGHUM, JU DOU, RAISE THE RED LANTERN, THE STORY OF QUI JU, TO LIVE and now, SHANGHAI TRIAD.
In most of his films his starring actress was Gong Li, beautiful and a mere thirty years old in 1995. Films she made with other directors include FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE, among others.
While the story takes place in the 1930s in Shanghai, with various war lords running the opium and prostitution rings, the similarity to present day China has angered the current Chinese government and there is a question of whether it will be allowed to be released there. The Chinese government has recently forbade him to attend the New York Film Festival's opening night presentation of the film.
Mr. Tang (Li Boatian) is the equivalent of a Mafia godfather. By aiding Chiang Kai-Shek and helped kill many of the Communists who were anti Chiank Kai-Shek, he awarded the warlord status. In addition, he has been permitted the "services" of the beautiful Xiao Jinbao (Gong Li), a singer and prostitute.
Mr. Tang trusts no one whose family name is not "Tang." A relative allows her fourteen-year-old son to be employed by Mr. Tang. It is through the eyes of this boy, Tang Shuisheng (Wang Xiao Xiao) that we, the audience, learn of what is happening.
As the story unfolds we are surprised at its many twists and turns which lead to a tragic ending of the film. For days the film haunted me; it is that kind of film.
In Mandarin with English subtitles.
Directed by Zhang Yimou
4 Bytes
4 Bytes = Superb
3 Bytes = Too good to be missed.
2 Bytes = So so.
1 Byte = Save your money.
-- Ben Hoffman
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