The King of Masks
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Movie Reviews of The King of Masks
Movie Review: You Will Love this Film!
Summary: 5 Stars
About 1/2 way through this film, I said to myself "what a great movie." King of Masks is a great film. Yes its a great look at China after the Dynasty system but before the communists. Yes, its a great movie about how women in China were treated unequally and how boy children were valued much more than female children. And yes, its a great look at the art of Masks. But above all, its a well acted, well written, very moving, and enjoyable movie.
Farewell My Concubine and To Live are very intense looks at historical China. If you are interested in a more historical film checks thoses out. King of Masks is a refreshing, less intense look at the China of the Past.
You will enjoy this film.
Movie Review: Another stunning sleeper
Summary: 5 Stars
Every reviewer has absolutely loved this movie, for good reason. It is a beautiful film, with wonderful acting and incredible depth. There are very deep and powerful themes here as other reviewers have noted; but the are subtle and mute to the main story of a poor simple street performer and his daughter. Unlike "To Live", where the main characters are swept away by the tides of the external world around them, in "King" the greater societal changes manifest themselves only through the intense personal story of the King and his Grandson/daughter. Both "To Live" and "King of Masks" are absolutely supurb, and will be appreciated.Movie Review: a touching gem of Chinese Cinema
Summary: 5 Stars
I came across this on television, flicking across the channels one night and ended up glued to it. While a simple tale, King of Masks eloquently describes the nature of friendship and family. The movie is beautifully shot, using an almost zen-like simplicity, creating an enchanting atmosphere of a riverside Chinese town. Performances by all characters are excellent and completely involving. I haven't seen the DVD but, seeing as it's anamorphic, the quality should be good. Hopefully other Chinese movies like those of Zhang Yi Mo and Chen Kaige, will also be released with anamorphic quality and we can enjoy these incredibly beautiful films in all their glory.Movie Review: Touching, charming sleeper
Summary: 5 Stars
Fascinating even within its simple context, this film is an almost perfect example of storytelling. An aged street performer in 1930s Sichuan realizes he has no heir to pass on his ancient tradition (and secrets)... so he purchases a son on the black market, only to find more than he bargained for. An extremely moving film - fascinating for its depiction of so many aspects of China unknown by Western audiences: mask-shifting performance, opera, the importance of gender, abject poverty and famine in the early 20th century, and Confucian values. All that aside, it's a sad, funny, and winning little masterpiece. (One complaint about the DVD - why no widescreen version?)Movie Review: My favorite Chinese film EVER.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not shy to admit that a lot of the reason for my adoration of this film is that I liked the ending. I can't help it. I'm an optimist, and wholly unused to seeing my kinds of endings anywhere in film, except some American films. Nonetheless, the ending is not easily won. The characters do have to reach it through some very realistic post-Revolution struggle. This film addresses the status of women in China, especially the "daughter problem", and also addresses, to an extent, the problems of marginalized classes in the cities of China. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and I think you'll want to see it again.