Film Review:
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
by Jules Andrews Jen, a young aristocratic woman, struggles to escape from her empty life of privilege and an arranged marriage. Unrestrained freedom, however, does not bring the happiness she imagined; she must learn that rebellion without discipline can bring disastrous consequences. Shu Lien has also escaped the traditional woman's role by becoming a Wu Dan sword master, sacrificing love and happiness she dedicates her life the pursuit of justice and honour. Shu Lien's attempts to guide the young rebel fail, Jen's anger at society and yearning for excitement leave her hell-bent on a path to destruction. Shu Lien enlists the help of her old comrade Mu Bai, the electricity of their unfulfilled love crackling in the air as they fly across China in hot pursuit of Jen; an enigmatic murderer called Jade Fox; and a stolen sword - - the legendary "Green Destiny". Filmed across all four corners of China, the characters lead us from the bamboo forests of the far south-east, to the frozen peaks of the Taklamakan Plateau in northern Tibet, and the across the panoramic wasteland of the Gobi Desert. In this stunning recreation of ancient China, Taiwanese Director Ang Lee combines the best of dramatic Chinese Opera, Hong Kong martial arts action flick, and modern special effects. Comfortable working in both Chinese and English, Ang Lee's story-telling possesses a cross-cultural appeal — his previous films The Wedding Banquet, Eat Drink Man Woman and The Ice Storm being critically acclaimed in both hemispheres. The production of Crouching Tiger is set against the modern day backdrop of China-Taiwan relations. After the civil war, socialist revolution and US intervention which led to their separation, the neurotic Taiwanese regime instituted severe censorship laws, banning all mainland books, film and music, and anything the reactionary government considered even remotely inflammatory or subversive, in an attempt to maintain the culture and values of its Imperial past. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon was fourth in a set of five books written at the turn of the 20th century, but was not published in Taiwan until five years ago. Ang Lee took advantage of a recent relaxation in censorship and travel laws, jumping at the chance to make the film and use the opportunity to explore his homeland. The incredible cast were drawn from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Chow Yun Fat, star of many Hong Kong martial arts blockbusters and by far the biggest "name" in the film plays Li Mu Bai, the Wu Dan master. However, his character is relegated to an almost supportive role in the film to the two female leads, Michelle Yeoh (Yu Shu Lien) and Zhang Ziyi (Jen) around whom the story, and most of the action centres. Chang Chen is instantly endearing as the fierce barbarian outlaw Lo. Crouching Tiger pushes new boundaries for the martial arts genre. It breaks the "trail of bloody corpses" stereotype of the Hong Kong films and honours the true philosophy of martial arts — the search for peace and harmony. Warriors Mu Bai and Shu Lien continually lower their swords in the face of their enemies, offering peaceful resolution to their conflicts. Crouching Tiger is an intensely sensuous film, a clever balance between dramatic and action thriller that will transcend the "subtitled film" cringe to go somersaulting through the air into an appreciative mainstream audience. Crouching Tiger is now showing in major cinemas.