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CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER Send This Review to a Friend
It may be among the most beautiful looking films ever made, but “Curse of the Golden Flower,” for all its histrionics and lavishness, is merely a soap opera with the flourish of martial arts. The fact that it is directed by Zhang Yimou doesn’t make it more.
Set in China’s latter Tang Dynasty period more than 1000 years ago, the story involves Chow Yun Fat as the emperor and the exquisite Gong Li as the empress he is trying to poison with so-called medication that she is obliged to take.
The endless complications involve her having an affair with her stepson and her plotting a revolt that would dethrone the emperor, who is no slouch when it comes to meeting fire with fire, or in terms of the times, sword with sword.
If you care to see how all this and more works out, Yimou’s epic may be for you. Clashing soldiers, battling royalty, rival sons and flashy martial arts aside, you will at least have the pleasure of the film's ravishing locations, sets and overall look. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
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