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Curse of the Golden Flower
- Review Date: March 26, 2007
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Violent, operatic saga of cruelty and revenge.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that kids who liked Hero or House of Flying Daggers will want to see this movie. But while Zhang Yimou directed all of them, this new film is very different -- it's less focused on the martial arts action than on adult themes like betrayal and revenge. Violence includes poisoning, swordfights, knifings, and armies of assassins mustered for combat on palace. There are plenty of bloody results all around.
What's the story?
CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER follows the disintegration of a Chinese emperor's family during the 10th century. The beautiful Empress Phoenix (Gong Li) is depressed by her isolation and her husband's obvious disdain for her. She spends her time planning the Chrysanthemum Festival, which is always a grand celebration -- but this year, no one feels like celebrating. Her depression is partly caused by the fact that Emperor Ping (Chow Yun-Fat) has been poisoning her soup. He may or may not be aware that she's been having an affair with Crown Prince Wan (Liu Ye), his son by his long-gone first wife. Then, the empress learns that her stepson/lover has fallen for Chan (Li Man), the daughter of the Imperial doctor (Ni Dahongand), whose own wife (Chen Jin) has a grudge against the emperor. The entanglements eventually come to a head, affecting the royal couple's two younger boys -- Prince Jai (Jay Chou) and Prince Yu (Qin Junjie) -- who are trying to prove themselves to their father while also looking after their mother (at least at first). As the various betrayals are discovered, the plots turn increasingly dire, with entire armies of assassins arrayed against each another.
Is it any good?
Wildly colorful and extravagantly emotional, Curse of the Golden Flower has sumptuous sets, splendiferous royal costumes, and roiling familial emotions. The palace in the capital city is huge, with long hallways, vast windows, and hundreds of rooms and servants. Too bad that everyone in sight despises, distrusts, or seeks brutal vengeance against someone else. They're a very unhappy lot indeed. The climactic battle scenes are stunning, with bright yellow chrysanthemums underfoot, spectacular wuxia swordplay, and plenty of flowing blood.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the tension among the family members. How do jealousy and greed lead to betrayal? Does the film make a judgment about which of the characters is the most guilty, or do they all seem equally culpable? How do parents use their children against one another? How does the movie's grand display -- bright colors, sweeping costumes, dramatic entrances -- suggest opera? If you've seen the director's other movies, how does this one compare? Why do you think it's focused less on action and more on revenge?
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AGE
It's a movie! It's a soap opera! It's a hoot!
The story of betrayal among family is not new. This film tells the tale in high soap opera style. It's high camp as well. While kids will go for the CGI arrows and hooks, adults will get quite a few laughs because, just when one thinks it can't get any hammier, it lays it on even thicker. A beautiful film just the same. Not to everyone's taste, obviously, since it came and went with striking swiftness.
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AGE
I thought this movie was a total waste of time..
I was dragged to this movie on vacation when I was 13 and I really did not like it. (I watched it in Taiwan, and it was rated PG there, so I did not expect so much violence) The props were extravagent, but the plot was basically filled with conspiracies against the royal people, violence, incest, etc. It was a pointless film and did not end happily.
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures Classics |
| Director: | Zhang Yimou |
| Cast: | Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li, Jay Chou |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 114 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 21, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | March 27, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violence |
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