Commentaires des utilisateurs

Really and Excellent Film Worth Watching. Fantastic in every level, especially cinematography and acting. The portrayal of a rural town in 90's China is AMAZING. I lived during those years and the realism is mesmerizing. The attention to detail is out of this world. Even the yellow lamps, which were so common at the time, the thermos, the black leather suits, gooses roaming around the streets, the haircuts, everything is just PERFECT. Honestly, I have come to IMDB to check if the movie was really made in the 1990's or when.. just to make sure. I felt transported to a time in my life, a time that meant so much to me, that taught me and made me who I am. Wonderful Cinematography indeed. Acting was also PERFECT, the way you see those characters, their interactions, their dialogues... that was the way how men and women where! How could i forget? The realism in acting is off the chart. The story is also great, although for me, the brilliant, flawless cinematography and superb acting skills from all the actors involved is what makes me admire and appreciate "Only the River Flows." In fact, its a movie that i'd want to watch again, as it is still being show at SM City Cinema. In conclusion, I enjoyed and liked this filming effort 100%, and I would like to recommend it to you. I don't think you'd get disappointed, unless you were expecting a police movie filled with shootings and fights. This is none of that. There is police work, but its mostly from the psychological point of view and how china's society of the time could be at times hard to handle. We have to remember that those were years of huge transformations. It was right before china's big Deng Xioaping opening. Things were still pretty much centralized and face and obedience were paramount in every way of society. This movie is really a perfect portrayal of how china was during those years. Trust me, I lived them. It is how it was. But, even though for young generations it might seem nuts, the truth is it was not. It was awesome, I loved my live in the 90's China. My years were in rural Changsha, in Hunan province. So similar. Even the river as big part of the town is just exactly how it was. I loved those years, always will, and this movie is just WONDERFUL! (my humble opinion)

"Ma Zhe" (Zhu Yilong) engenders an almost adulatory degree of support from his team as he leads them on an investigation following the discovery of the body of the goose-rearing "Granny Four" on a remote riverside. Suspicion quickly falls on her adopted friend known simply as the "madman", but the detective is not so convinced that things are that straightforward. His ensuing task isn't helped by pressure from his ping-pong playing boss to conclude quickly and by the fact that he and his wife are expecting a baby - and that procedure is not going to be as simple as they might like. With the rain pretty much relentless throughout, he encounters some quirky local characters who seem to muddy the waters rather than offer him clarity. Clarity? Well that's an element to this story that is a bit too sparing at times. "Ma Zhe" finds his troubles gradually getting the better of him - yes, there are more bodies - and soon his own grasp on reality becomes distinctly compromised. Can he keep it together long enough to solve the crime? The film starts with the usual affirmation of the communist values of team play before entering the realms of predictable cop drama tempered with a bit of undercooked psycho-babble that Zhu Yilong tries to hard hold together. By the denouement, though, I felt way too much of the plot was contrived to try to tap into the psyche - of him and us - and it didn't really work. That said, he does well here and we do get quite a tense sense of his gradually becoming overwhelmed by the scenarios that test his usually linear style of working, thinking and living. Sadly, aside from "Ma Zhe", the characters are barely developed and director Wei Shujun seems more interested in focussing on an admittedly gritty and authentic looking peek at 1990s rural China, whilst rather abandoning the detail and characterisation of story to the sidelines as the dream sequences blur more and more the line between reality and fantasy. It does move along well enough, but I found it a bit of a meringue of a film - not much when you get into it.

Director Wei Shujun is one of the most anticipated Chinese directors at Cannes every year, because he really never disappoints. From his witty and humorous film "Striding into the Wind" which was shortlisted for the Director's Fortnight two years ago and received rave reviews at Cannes, this time he brought a different style of black film to the "A Certain Regard" section, which was like a shot in the arm, awakening the tired international critics. The film successfully adapted the work of teacher Yu Hua and had a strong Wei-style personal style, highly restoring the sense of the 90s in China, with a bleak realistic theme supplemented by magical dream segments, and sudden absurd scenes that even made the audience scream in surprise. Some of the ending segments seemed like clues deliberately left by the director, like the godly drama "The Long Season", which made me want to watch it again after seeing it. Ting shuo kan guo cai neng ping fen wo mei kan guo shi yi shi.

A well made drama with great atmosphere, in which the investigation of one murder leads to more innocent deaths. It's at its strongest early on and when we start finding out the police detective may not have a firm grip on reality. Aside from the hallucination sequences, for example, he seems to think he's received an award in the past when no one else remembers it, and despite flushing pieces of his wife's jigsaw puzzle down the toilet during an argument, later she's assembled the whole thing. It really makes you wonder whether he's losing his mind, and between that and other plot elements that don't quite add up, there is ample room to interpret the film as you wish (which I confess felt like a slight negative here).

The characters we meet during the investigation include a docile but mentally challenged man referred to by the locals as "the madman," a pair of star-crossed lovers, and a hairdresser whose secret cross-dressing is one of the few things in the film that you can see coming a mile away. The cop's pregnant wife who asserts her right to choose the infant's fate in no uncertain terms when told it has a 10% chance of being mentally defective is also a rare moment we feel on solid ground in the film, and it was a fantastic scene besides.

The cop's ping-pong loving superior officer urges him to consider the case closed, though a dream sequence in the theater seems to point out just how absurd it is to think "the madman" is behind it all - but then what about the murder of the child with an eyewitness? And why would the hairdresser commit suicide, after surviving a first attempt and being in great spirits literally moments before? Could the cop himself be somehow involved, suffering from some mental defect that he's going to pass on to his infant son? Or could the river itself harbor some form of malevolent spirt, driving people to violence, despair, or insanity?

There are lots of questions here, but just like with the jigsaw puzzle, director Wei Shujun seems to have thrown away a few pieces, leaving us to decide for ourselves. The fact that the cop gets the award he seemed to be deluded about makes really made me wonder how much of this is distorted, or in his mind. That look in the baby's eye was certainly ominous, and maybe an indication that there's some larger, unknowable evil afoot. I just wish this had been a smidge more coherent.

Giving this an 7/10 rating

Chinese slow burn crime thriller is the early 1990's, that is very surreal, dreamlike, brutal and engaging, all at the same time. Another on based on a book, and director Wei Shujun has fun with it, the images and sound really make this film as actor Yilong Zhu works magic the cop who is really in a bind by work and home life, and has to make it work somehow.

The goal of catching a killer is never easy, but with a crisis of the mind thrown in, you get the sense of evil is any where with the images and sound thrown cleverly. So you have to pay 100 percent attention, and ti's worth it.

It is like a David Lynch film in a way but not as extreme, and you have a story that you can follow, even if you go down a path of weird.

I have an affinity for the grainy texture of 16mm film -- the likes of which this film was (almost entirely) shot on. The film starts off as a noir whodunnit, but it transforms into a slow descent into mental chaos for its protagonist -- the cop investigating a series of murders, who we closely follow. The clues and motives behind the murders begin to matter less, but the protagonist's obsession with finding the killer consumes him. Chengma's cinematography is fantastic, offering an aesthetic feast set in mid 90s rural China.

The (minimal) score and edit work are solid too, playing key roles in pulling us into this vortex of unexplained character layers and revelations. A hallucinatory sequence, in particular, is very tastefully executed -- it's one of the most inventive stretches I've seen in a film in recent times. Yet, Only the River Flows isn't the kind of cinema interested in giving clear-cut answers to all your questions. Call this Wei Shujun's arthouse version of Memories of Murder, minus the edge-of-the-seat thrills.

Only the River Flows followed police investigator Ma Zhe (Zhu, Yilong Yilong Zhu), in the 90s China, trying to solve a murder case, with an "obvious" yet not so convincing suspect, the victim's adopted son, a man with mental illness. The movie developed into a psychological journey that was deeply intense and hard to resist. Intermingled with Ma Zhe's own life struggles, the psychological journey was painted with layers of unbelievable hues and shades, in contrast to the movie's desaturated color theme and tone. Are you saying it takes a crazy man to get a crazy man, literally?

As a neo-film nior, the movie shared many aspects of this genre. It also has absurdism and realism contrasting and complementing each other, just like the seemingly muted everyday life in the 90s which was actually during the turmoil of some of the biggest changes of China.

Bravo to Wei, Shujun Wei Shujun's cinema work, to the accuracy of a small town in 90s China, and to Zhu, Yilong Yilong Zhu's vivid portraying of a middle aged policeman dealing with madness from every aspects of his life.

In my humble opinion, a very special movie and a must-see.

As I wrote in title, it miss some tension snd it's quite slow. At first, you feel like you're going to be speeding through the plot of the story, but no, your car just gets slower and slower. Although the actors are great, the story has some gaps for my taste. Maybe I expected too much?! Interesting is that in the story, the police decides to move their office rooms to one cinema, which they close on the question of his first intention, and it is showing films to the public. Maybe the author wanted to say something by that, generally speaking?! For sure director gives an atmospheric view with a careful recreation about the picture of China, where as in this movie most things are on the verge of disappearing as the summer factory that employs most of the characters, old restaurants, ping pong as the city's entertainment, semi-detached houses that are close to the river, but the point is that the river goes its way no matter what's going on.

This movie was a letdown on nearly every front. The male lead's acting was painfully bad-flat delivery, lifeless expressions, and zero chemistry with the rest of the cast. It felt like he was phoning it in the entire time.

The plot was no better. It relied heavily on overused clichés, offering nothing new or exciting. Every twist was predictable, and the pacing dragged, making the film feel far longer than it actually was. Unnecessary subplots only added to the mess, failing to provide any depth or meaning to the story.

Even the technical aspects fell short. The cinematography was bland, the editing sloppy, and the soundtrack uninspired. It seemed like little thought or effort was put into crafting a cohesive or engaging experience.

Overall, this was a waste of time. Poor acting, a weak script, and subpar production make it a movie I can't recommend. Skip it and watch something else.

The movie is actually based on a novel by Yu Hua... The plots and setting of this movie makes audience unable to predict the end... The absurdity will make looking forward to the end of the movie... It's a noir movie... Mind blowing and realism... I believe it took years before Wei Shujun could adapt this to a movie... My friend that attended the screening at Cannes told me how absurd it was and I should see it so... Seeing this, it is above my expectations because I actually don't really like Chinese movies, I base on Korean but seeing this, I look forward to see more of this nature of movies.. Nice Performance from Yilong Zhu and Maoyan Chloe.. it's actually worth given it a try👍

Lens: 16mm film movies are really not easy It has a very cinematic texture, composition, colors, perfect camera language, and metaphorical expression art, which perfectly fits this somewhat bizarre and absurd story. There are no unnecessary narrative techniques at all. Excellent artistry, the atmosphere brought by the screen is excellent!

Music: This movie doesn't have a lot of music, but it's all perfectly chosen. And most importantly, when you finish watching the music in the movie and hear it again, a very strange feeling arises, as if the story of Ma Zhe and his is floating in your mind again, bringing you back to the story of the movie like a movie. Many of the things conveyed by the camera seem to be experienced in an instant.

Ever since the launch of the trailer, it has been a movie that I've been looking forward to and indeed it's worth the 101 mins in the cinema!

Nothing bad and you will definitely be glued to it. It is by far one of the best movie ever! On this note, I would like to specially highlight actor Zhu Yilong who played as Ma Zhe in the movie. Who would have thought that he could be so rugged and different from his usual self that always appears on screen.

Kudos to the team for making such a wonderful movie! It's definitely a MUST to watch!

I watched the red carpet live broadcast of the Cannes International Film Festival on May 20th. Zhu Yilong's appearance on the red carpet at the Cannes International Film Festival is completely different from what he saw in the movie!

Reviews from the premiere was exciting so glad I got the replay ticket on 22 May at the Cannes festival. No spoilers.

Actor Zhu Yilong was fantastic in portraiting the character Ma Zhe and gave some very powerful and mesmerizing scenes. One can feel the emotional turmoil of Ma Zhe as the storyline unfold. An amazing young and gifted actor. I look forward in checking out his other movies.

The cinematography was fabulous. Many great scenes composition and the final grading set a good tone on the mood.

The bgm blended well and compliment the movie story development.

Only the River Flows is a well made movie taking a deep dive into human nature and self reflection.

This is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films of the year!

I have been following this film since the trailer and it is truly worth the ticket price and the time you pay.

Shujun Wei has made a brave and successful attempt. The film combines absurdity and reality in a perfect way to show the kind of life that was lived in the 90s.

Yilong Zhu's performance is amazing! I was introduced to this actor from China through this film and his handling of the role is vivid and eye-catching. He perfectly brings out the obsession and madness of a middle-aged cop.

In my opinion, this is absolutely excellent work and I look forward to their future works.

"Only the River Flows" is an exceptional movie shot on 16mm film that showcases the incredible talent of both the director and lead actor, making for an unforgettable cinematic experience.

The film's director Wei Shunjun has masterfully crafted a story that draws the audience in and keeps them engaged throughout. The pacing is perfect, and the use of 16mm film adds a unique texture and warmth to the visuals, creating a nostalgic and immersive atmosphere that adds to the film's overall appeal.

The lead actor Zhu Yilong delivers a truly outstanding performance that carries the film from beginning to end. His portrayal of the character is nuanced and captivating, eliciting a range of emotions from the audience and leaving a lasting impression.

Overall, "Only the River Flows" is a must-see film that showcases the power of great storytelling, masterful direction, and exceptional acting. It is a true gem that deserves all the accolades it receives and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.

Any 1 star ratings of this film is nothing more than opposing fan fighting that is ridiculous and does nothing but hurt the entire Chinese film industry on an international level. Pathetic!

Director Wei Shujun's latest dystopian realism author film, adapted from Yu Hua's pioneering masterpiece of the same name, a bizarre murder case involving a number of suspects, police chief Ma Zhe (played by Zhu Yilong) by the unspeakable truth constantly dialed, gradually into the absurd, unsettling and indistinguishable from the real illusion of the moment and memory. ......The actor Zhu Yilong's performance is very wonderful, the inner contradictions and insecurities, doubts about self interpretation is very wonderful, he is China's terrific actor. Hope to let the world see China's good movies, good actors, good directors.

It definitely belongs to the kind of film that has more charm and sophistication!! Many times you forget that this is Zhu Yilong, the performer of lighting up the star, absolutely surpassing Mo Sanmei's level. All the performances and details are presented very, very naturally, and the small movements with a rich sense of the times are so natural that you only feel that this is Ma Zhe himself, who lived in the not very wealthy era 20 years ago. His situation and experience are the real people and stories that happened in that era, It's our father's generation. It seems that you learned about that legendary village from the leisure time of adults during your childhood. And when you grow up and long to explore that secret for yourself, only to find that the truth has already dissipated in time, leaving you with the impression of a childhood legend that few people knew about. Zhu Yilong's performance has unprecedented subversion. Two. 16mm film movies are really not easy, It has a very cinematic texture, composition, colors, perfect camera language, and metaphorical expression art, which perfectly fits this somewhat bizarre and absurd story. There are no unnecessary narrative techniques at all. Excellent artistry, the atmosphere brought by the screen is excellent! This movie doesn't have a lot of music, but it's all perfectly chosen. And most importantly, when you finish watching the music in the movie and hear it again, a very strange feeling arises, as if the story of Ma Zhe and his is floating in your mind again, bringing you back to the story of the movie like a movie. Many of the things conveyed by the camera seem to be experienced in an instant.

This is a neo-noir crime film with many metaphors. Many moments in the film left me in deep contemplation. The use of real photographic film adds a great texture. I also really appreciate the film's soundtrack.

Ma Zhe's character undergoes a significant transformation, which is portrayed perfectly and delicately by Zhu Yilong. The blending of reality and dreams is fantastic, and the intertwining of Ma Zhe's pain, responsibility, and compromises puts immense pressure on him, to the point where he seems like a completely different person in the end.

Zhu Yilong's performance is excellent. Ma Zhe's transformation is nuanced, like a house standing there, showing a bit of wear on the surface, but when you open the door, you find that it is gradually collapsing layer by layer inside.

I highly recommend this film.

That Wei Shujun chooses to place this film where he does in a China before the advent of modern technology and industrialization, offering a glimpse into a very different state than we know now is, I think crucial to an appreciation of what's happening. I don't think it should be underestimated in this fascinating character study how much the lack of technology, and the weight of the administrative state come to bear on Detective Ma Zhe's psyche as he attempts to unravel a mystery in the absence of compelling evidence. Much of the underlying tension is in the pressure that Zhe absorbs from the hierarchy, who are in search of a prosecution. Watching him obsess over a tape recording was fascinating and brought to mind Coppola's 'The Coversation' with Gene Hackman. In that film Harry Caul's confidence leads him astray. Zhe's doubt seems here to do the opposite. Still, Zhe's professional career teeters on his ability to deliver the murderer and even with suspects in his crosshairs, a lack of hard evidence makes his situation particularly agonizing. Beautifully filmed and acted, this is a peek into a pre-technological, pre-modern China and that, in my view, makes it particularly fascinating.

The film, one of the best in Cannes 2023, presents an extremely authentic town-life of China in the 1980s. Instead of playing a role of a middle- aged police, the actor leads a common life in the remote town, which seems to be the everyday life of your neighbor. As the most well-known young actor in China, Zhu Yilong gives the audience the immersing experience when watching, with his phenomenal performance. Zhu Yilong has created the legends of box office one after another in the history of Chinese movie and won many top awards as well, such as the Golden Rooster Award. This film is a must-see on your to-watch-list.