Movie review by Dennis D. McDonald
The story begins in a remote mining town in China in 2001. Bin is a small time crime boss and Qiao his girlfriend. Together they lord over their businesses while following a traditional protocol of loyalty, respect, and so-called honor. Basically they act much like small-town hoods anywhere who have become accustomed to a traditionally corrupt but comfortable lifestyle.
But disruption is coming. Younger hoods don’t follow the old ways. One day Bin is attacked in his limo by a crowd of motorcyclists. Qiao retrieves Bin’s illegal handgun, steps outside the limo, and fires into the air, scaring away the attackers.
Bin and Qiao are both arrested. Qiao takes the fall for using an illegal firearm; her silence about the gun’s real owner gets her sent to prison. When she is finally released she discovers that Bin has “gone legit” and now has a new girlfriend. The story then brings us along to the present day and we see how both Bin and Qiao adapt — or don’t — to changed circumstances.
The backdrop here is China’s rapid change. There is much traveling in this film, mostly by train and river boat. We witness how both urban and rural China change as its economy evolves. The views of the country and of monumental new urban environments are exquisitely photographed. Yet we never lose sight of Bin and Qiao and their struggles.
Tao Zhao as Qiao carries this movie on her shoulders. Somehow she manages to project – – simultaneously – – both vulnerability and steely resolve. This actress create a truly memorable character as Qiao navigates from one event to another.
At the same time there are interspersed numerous entertaining and even comedic moments. Keep your eye peeled for the ballroom dancers at the funeral, the caged lions, and the UFO.
The director (and writer) seems to be saying about China’s transformation, “Change or be changed!” while highlighting in both a frank and even unsentimental manner the pain that can company rapid change .
Highly recommended.
Review copyright 2020 by Dennis D. McDonald
