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Rating:  -
I can agree with a few of the criticisms offered by other Amazon reviewers. The drama was a bit overblown at times, and the start of the movie was a tiny bit slow. The end was an unholy slaughter and didn't leave off on a good / satisfying note.
That aside, the movie was beautiful. The sets were colorful, the costuming was over-the-top, but I rather liked it. This is not a "happy story." It's a drama about internal politics, deceit, back-stabbing, betrayal, and a little bit of good martial arts thrown in for good measure.
Having just come off watching Butterfly Sword and Warriors of Heaven and Earth, neither of which I cared for much, this movie was a welcome relief.
It was more in the artistic style of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and Iron Monkey, all of which I enjoyed very much (Flying Daggers slightly less than the other 3).
So, if you like this movie, you'll probably like the 4 mentioned above. Or if you liked any of those 4, there's a good chance you may like this one too. Granted, the end of this one is quite bloody and doesn't end happily like some of the others. Won't say much more than that so as not to "spoil" anything.
Rating:  -
We loved to watch the cinamatography was amazing, one of the best I have seen in some time, worth watching, just a bit soap opera-ish. I love Asian artistic movies and this is a touch more dramatic. A bit bloody, but over fun to watch.
Rating: -
I found this movie to be one of the most visually stunning epics I have ever seen. The meticulous research that went into creating a lavish set and historically accurate costuming down to the last bead and stitch, including the multiple layers of dress, most of which is never even seen on camera, but authentically recreated to give the actors a true sense of the burden (both literally and figuratively) of the opulence of the Tang Dynasty. The veneer of utter decadence and affluence allowed the absolute ruler to maintain the appearance for the masses that the royal families were to be worshiped as living gods - a belief that some Asian cultures continue to this day.
This movie effectively demonstrates that this facade veiled the fact that absolute power disintegrates rulers from within, resulting in malignance, inner corrosion and depravity.
There are endless plot twists as the members of the royal family clandestinely maneuver and conspire against one another, each one shifting loyalties in desperate attempts to protect their own fluctuating sense of honor and motivation in an attempted coup against the Emperor, with the added onus of having deeper hidden agendas that do not emerge until the climax of the film.
The antagonist is the only true survivor of the coup, having the greater tactical prowess than all the other players, but eventually having to suffer the painful losses and consequences, culminating in the destruction of his royal lineage.
The retention of absolute power at any price is what drives the film. Yes, bad guys DO win in the end sometimes, just as in life, but at what cost? Clearly the victor has won the battle, but has actually lost the war.
I believe that the only error in the reporting of this movie is that it is labeled as action/adventure, when in truth it should have been listed as a period drama.
I have read several very poor reviews on this site, stating that the movie was over-long, plotless and shallow, with no redeeming qualities. Almost all stated that they were disappointed at the lack of real action; the reviewers were expecting to see a "martial arts" action film, naturally became detractors because they were apparently just watching their clocks until the "cool Asian action" began, unable to simply watch the movie and allow the beautiful nuance and subtlety to flow over them in the historically accurate representation of the era that was designed to show how difficult survival was in the 10th century, a misogynistic period of absolute loyalty and obedience to the crown.
Since it is as much a period drama as "Anna and the King," I find it sad that it was promoted as action/adventure rather than a foreign-language drama. It would have undoubtedly altered the expectations of the viewers, allowing the movie to be better appreciated as a subtle commentary on absolute power, warning away the viewers who were looking for Jet Li or Jackie Chan Asian fight movies.
To quote another reviewer who seems to share my opinion:
"There is no doubt that this detractory perspective is derived from overly-saturated people of western education, without any consideration of eastern understanding and that the history originates from an ancient tradition from which European literature itself was derived."
Rating: -
Cavil about historical accuracy, over-the-top bodice-infatuated costuming, this that and a thousand other things - this is just flat out one helluva movie! Without question the most visually ecstatic film since Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring.. Curse of the Golden Flower is more intoxicating than the empress' hourly medicine! What an actor Li Gong is, and gorgeous to look at. Yun Fat Chow is the first eminence of the whole piece, as he is in virtually every film he makes. I submit that in the end it isnt the camera's magnificence that triumphs, but a story of human destiny told with blood-burning intimacy. Far from being a "martial arts" film as it's often said, Curse of the Golden Flower flies from the curse of formula, bemoaning it in almost every scene, with exceeding interior beauty. It's a spiritual film perhaps BECAUSE of its operatic heart, who knows? The scenes are bewitching, riveting; the force of the actors' embodiments lifts the piece to wild heights, which is to say, toward the actual. From beginning to end, Li Gong carries the complete story in her face. Every minor part - the court doctor, his daughter - is spun with consummate finesse. Another treasure is this film's uncommonly beautiful score, subtly integrated as another and equal dimension of character. One of the finest movie scores in years. It's just one helluva movie! If we want 'historical' China and look for it everywhere, entertainment will rarely hand us the pivotal tool to crack the nut. But to congregate the shamelessly intense ethos of China, the koan, if you will, of China, and hand it jewel-like to us, is indeed what film can do, what it can be. In forms visible and invisible, Curse of the Golden Flower dreams and matches, near perfectly, far as I can tell, the spiritual truth of human experience. Watch it and live!
Rating: -
Many have commented on the epic scale of this production. Some claim it is the most expensive movie ever made in China and that the set was the largest ever constructed for a movie there. Whatever the claims, the visuals in this movie are amazing. Frankly, I have never seen colors and opulence depicted in such luxurious tones before. The word dazzling seems somewhat understated.
I don't know classical Chinese history or mythology, but this is supposedly based on a historical tale from about a thousand years ago. Emperor Ping was a mere soldier who used a marriage to a royal daughter to claim his throne. He is ruthless beyond measure in keeping it. His wife, Empress Phoenix feels she is being poisoned by the medicine he forces her to take each day. The Emperor's sons all struggle for position and there are secrets galore that contribute to their antagonism and ferocity. The children are used and manipulated as needed by each parent. I will let you work out the details as you watch the movie.
Is the acting great? Well, the story doesn't demand terrible complexity in the characters. Also, remember that Western style emoting may not be what the Chinese acting ethos is all about. For me, the acting was sufficient. It was clear to me what was happening and the emotions rang true. The combat sequences are quite spectacular. Ninjas are all over the place doing all kinds of strange and almost magical things for the Emperor with a lot of it going on in the air (with ropes). The various ground armies are also amazing in scope.
So, is this a great movie? No. Is it worth seeing? Yes. Is it a classic? I doubt it, but you will sure remember the brilliance of the colors and the army sequences.
Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
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