|
| . |
|
The Road Home 1999 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Zhang Yimou
G, 89 min. (nothing offensive) |
 |
Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Sun Honglei, Zheng Hao, Zhao Yuelin
Producer: Zhao Yu
Screenplay: Bao Shi
Cinematography: Hou Yong
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Released: 5/25/01 (Limited)
(In Mandarin with subtitles) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
For Zhang Yimou, one of the world's best directors, The Road Home seems like a sort of reprieve from his usual intense, emotionally
draining masterpieces such as Raise the Red Lantern or To Live. In this simple, yet beautifully-crafted picture, we see one of
the more innocent parts of the human experience - to fall in love. It's also a chance to observe one of Zhang Ziyi's first
cinematic roles, since this film came prior to her astonishing debut in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon last year.
Yimou tackles the grand scale of emotional upheaval one encounters when swept away by uncontrollable longing for another with
a quiet but earnest vigor that leaves you fully satisfied at the end of 90 minutes.
The Road Home represents powerful storytelling in a relatively pedestrian manner, and you don't recognize how much it's
affected you until its closing minutes. This is exactly what Yimou was aiming for, and he succeeds without fault. Now, the
film is no masterpiece, mainly because the scale is so small and intimate that it's short running time isn't enough to delve
the viewer into a careful character study to warrant such a label. However, one could argue that's what makes this film so
effective, its brevity coupled with strong performances by its cast.
The story is told as a flashback. As the film opens, we quickly learn that Yusheng Luo's (Sun Honglei) father has passed away,
and he's headed home to make funeral arrangements with his mother, Di (Zhao Yuelin). She is determined to have her
husband's body brought home in the traditional way - by foot with men carrying the casket. It's a long distance, enough for
the townspeople to try and convince Yusheng to find another way. While he considers his options, Yusheng tells the story
of his parents' courtship, which has reached legendary status among the villagers. We meet the younger version of Di (Zhang Ziyi),
who is only 18 and completely infatuated with a newly appointed teacher (Zheng Hao) in the village. Di
slowly begins to show her love for him through cooking, cleaning, and obvious appointed meetings on the road with him.
As love enters the equation, he is recalled to the city, and their relationship is left in limbo.
The film is told in two parts - the present is represented by stark black and white, while the love story is told in brilliant color
with eye-opening cinematography. The love story is set against the backdrop of 1950s China, not exactly the best era to
fall in love with arranged marraiges still at the forefront of a Communist society. Although not much is made of the time period,
it is in the back of your mind as you see the story unfold, and, for a moment, you wonder if politics will eventually burst
the bubble-like love story. Yimou obviously decided to give his viewers a break, since we are thankfully spared a disconcerting
conclusion.
Zhang Ziyi is clearly at the heart of the film - she dominates almost every scene, and for good reason. She is wonderfully
innocent, with a childlike smile that charms even the most morose person. The camera can't leave her face for long periods of
time, since everything the viewer needs to know is in her expressions, her eyes. The young teacher also cannot resist her
inner glow, and that's what makes Ziyi so appealing. Her performance is not quite at the level of Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon's Jen, but it's close. In fact, one might actually prefer this character to the other.
The Road Home represents fine cinematic storytelling, and another solid effort from Yimou. Whether or not you'll like the film
depends on your taste of what encompasses a love story. If touching, kissing, and intimacy are important to your idea of
love, then this film may not be for you. But if you appreciate the early stages of burgeoning love, complete with the thrill of
mutual admiration, The Road Home is sure to satisfy.
© 2001 Jonathan Cornwell
|
|
 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
© 2000 - present ReelCriticReviews
All movie pictures are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders
Their use on this site is for informational purposes only and does not imply ownership
|
