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To LiveRating:
Release Date: 01 July, 2003 Retail Price: $14.94 Sorry, this product is not currently available. Cast: Complete Cast (6 total) |
To Live Reviews
Powerful film
Zhang Yimou is often considered China's greatest living director, and it's not difficult to see why. "Raise the Red Lantern" and "Farewell My Concubine" are both considered masterpieces, and he just recently released the stunningly beautiful "Hero". Although generally known for his beautiful cinematography (as displayed in the three movies listed), he took a step back from that path and decided to just tell a simple, honest, and powerful story when he made the lesser known "To Live".
This films stars two of China's greatest performers in the amazing Ge You and gorgeous Gong Li. These two performers really carry the movie. Ge You is one of China's most accomplished actors. Although he usually performs in comedy, it's clear that his dramatic talent is more than capable. And then there's Gong Li. She has to be one of the most beautiful women to ever grace the screen. And... she doesn't exactly have a traditional beauty to her either. It's some kind of suffering, tormented beauty. Kind've hard to describe. Either way, both pull off great performances for the film.
Then there's the story itself. The movie takes place during Mao's takeover of China (leading into the Cultural Revolution) and views that whole event through the poverty-stricken lives of Ge You and Gong Li's characters. And really, it does a great job of balancing the two. The story is told effectively, and China's stormy past is viewed through a surprisingly objective lense. The negatives, as well as the positives, of Communism are in full display.
Seems like a five star film, huh? Not really. There is one problem with the film that keeps it from being a true five star masterpiece for me: It's just a little too melodramatic. A examination of people living in a poverty-stricken country could really do without the melodramaticism. I mean, it's bad enough that these people live the way they do. Is it really necessary to overtly pity them? It seems like Yimou sometimes really stretches and takes advantage of these melodramtic moments to draw as many tears from the audience as possible, and frankly, it is just disgusting. If these moments didn't exist, this film would've have been a lot better off. Watch "Pather Panchali" to see an equally powerful but completely unsentimental movie dealing with a family living in poverty.
Now, negatives aside, the film is still good enough to warrant a buy, so go buy it.
Life
This truly is a must own for anybody. I bought mine from a seller.The story of two peoples lives. Husband gambles,loses everything,wife still loves him. See how their lives overcome this and suffer the ups and downs of life. It felt like the viewer became part of their lives,the sad and happy. It's truly a gripping film. Don't miss this. It's one of the best I ever saw. 10 stars!!!!
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