Ru meng

Where to start with this film…well, let me say that not since 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' have I experienced a film dealing with romantic themes who's sheer emotional power is easily matched by its innovation in concept. The unfolding of the individual characters reaches extraordinarily profound depths here and the intertwining of the characters has been accomplished using a novel narrative tapestry that just needs to seen, it would be a crime to divulge it here.

It was for me as intellectually stimulating as it was emotionally stimulating. The journey takes us between countries, loves, dreams and destinies. What excites me so much is that the characters are revealed to us slowly at a pace which is uncannily similar to the rate at which we get to know friends in real life. This enabled me to connect with the characters more effectively than usual. The use of music and sound is also novel. The use of color – the colors respond in harmony with the needs of the storyline. The film generates its own cinematic motifs, which recur throughout and feedback into the unfolding narrative allowing new plot points to build upon them – and this is but just one of the aspects in this film! It is a beautiful film.

The balance between theater and cinema, between lightness and darkness, between America and China, between humor and drama, between attainment and loss, between volume and silence…

We are led by the hand into the very personal and fragile depths of human yearnings, into that place in our minds and hearts where we hold the kind of thoughts that we never or seldom divulge…. to anyone.

It was like a dream for me. I Love it.

The reviews on the film are mixed. The ethereal, romantic character is beautifully filmed, in a controlled pace, that reminds of a Bach piece made into a ballet. Almost every element, be it a setting, dialog, plot element, scene, music piece, is repeated a couple of times in the film in one or more variations, or developments, or contra-points but still recognizingly the same element, as a musical composition with variations would be made like. In the end they come together in 1 sad, romantic and yet hopeful finale.

For some that finale is too much. It all comes too neatly together. Personally I loved it. It is not often such truly romantic films get made.It's by now means cardboard romantic, far from it. No need of a handkerchief, no unbiased happy end, but there is sadness, mixed with sparkles of humor and joy, and a the most truly gripping kissing scene i've seen in years. No sex, no sensation, but stylish feelings, ballet like scenes, and admirably intense acting, put together in a tasteful timeless piece.