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Life on a StringRating:
Release Date: 08 January, 2002 Retail Price: $29.95 OUR Price: $26.99 You SAVE: $2.96! Cast: |
Life on a String Reviews
It's the imagery
If you're looking for something with a threadbare plot and outstanding performances, then this isn't your kind of movie.
"Life on a String" is gorgeous, with the kind of stunning imagery one would expect from a Chen Kaige film. I cannot praise the feel of this movie enough. The camerawork, the cinematography, and the way the music melts in with the moods... These are all reasons I keep returning to Chinese filmmakers, and you'll find all of it here.
The direction itself can be a bit over the top, though. Characters move like they're being portrayed through puppets rather than actors, and things in general get exaggeratedly symbolic at times. I like Chen more when he's being atmospheric as opposed to intellectual, because his style is so obvious that the metaphors become blunt objects smacked across your head -- instead of soft, subtle clues you have to look for. Storywise, String is closer to "Together" than "Farewell my Concubine" or "Temptress Moon," but maintaining the operatic elements that Chen's plots often carry. You'll find the grandiose statements, the slaps across the cheek and the intense exits here too. The pace is contemplative rather than slow, meaning you'll have lots of time to take in the lovely cinematography without ever becoming bored.
Oh, and there have been some warnings against the quality of the DVD. If you're a fan of Chen Kaige or contemporary Chinese cinema, then you won't let that discourage you. It's really not as bad as some would have it, but I wouldn't turn down a better version either (one with more extras). Now the real problem remains: when are we going to get "Yellow Earth" on DVD?
great unusual movie with a haunting, very useful message
I read some of the one star reviews complaining that the movie was as empty as the northeast of China. To that I can only say: if you are empty, I guess you will find emptyness. So, this movie is not for the fans of "actionpacked" Hollywood fare - those are the movies I would call empty... you feel like you're just watching the same movie over and over again, because Hollywood makes movies by recepy. If you're looking for something new and different with a deeper meaning, you may like this movie a lot. I had no problem understanding what was going on, but then I wasn't raised on movies that spoon feed every bit of a poor plot to you. This movie's beauty and haunting message is something I would not want to miss from my collection of experiences.
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