Lan Yu

Rating:
Summary: political sensitivity deems censorship
Review: The movie is adopted from a renowned queer Chinese internet novel "Beijing Story" ("Beijing Gushi"). About the movie I won't comment more than that it is guanranteed with watching as an excellent choice of alternative Chinese cinema. And as a response to Mr. Gadgester, this movie is made with Hong Kong investment by a Hong Kong director, but every actor in the film is from mainland China, some even famous. It is indeed not on commercial silver screen in mainland China, but it is allowed to be released in formats of VCDs and DVDs, as well as academic material. The real reason for the ban is not for the homosexuality but for the political reference to the Tianmen Square event in '89. And this may surprise you, but nudity isn't a big problem in China as far as censorship is concerned, even child nudity (seen in copious amount of Chinese film). But political sensitivity could always been delays of releasing. By the way, this kind of film wouldn't have a market in China anyways because of a large homo-oblivious crowd. All in all, great movie; and if you ever had a chance to read the original novel, please do so.

Rating:
Summary: impressive performances
Review: The story of the film is rather melodramatic. What makes this movie special is the acting. The director does a wonderful job getting first class performances out of the two leading men. If the role of the poor young student was replaced by an actress, the film would have worked. LIU Wei, who plays the student LAN Yu, gives an understated, subtle performance. It just fits the character so well. The young student is supposed to be shy, reserved, innocent and loyal. As for the older business man, he is sophisticated, aggressive, ruthless, yet, loving in his way. HU Jun gives a memorable performance of this complicated man with such wide range of emotions. The audience gets to know him as a real person with flesh and blood. The relationship between these two men is just so natural. Some of the scenes and lines are quite awkward, but both of them manage to pull all these off in a very natural and convincing way. I have not seen a man portrayed in such a masculine way even when he is in love with another man for a long time. The casting is just brilliant. The masculine presence of CHEN Hang Dong makes the movie different from all the other movies featuring two men together. The only other movie in which both men look so good and so manly together is "Maurice". Believe me, we girls know a manly man when we see one. The film also has a great supporting cast. The wife is almost too perfect. She is beautiful and smart, has a great sense of humor. Oh she even speaks Russian. The loyalty of Hangdong's friend is worthy of Marquis of Posa. If "Ah! Je meurs" was used at the end of the movie instead of the corny song, it would be marvelously effective. After all, Verdi wrote this most beautiful song for a man to sing to another man. Last note, it is not surprising that the original internet novel is written by a female writer. The movie is about human relationship. It should appeal to a much broader audience.

Rating:
Summary: An Unexpected Treat!
Review: This was my first viewing of a film by director Stanley Kwan. I am impressed by his vision and skillful direction. Hun Ju and Le Yiu (Handong Chen and Lan Yu) are believable as the older, successful businessman, and the young architecture student. Kwan has managed to take what might otherwise be a tawdry, uneventful story and turned it into a captivating and thoroughly entertaining film. The sex is understated, but the chemistry between the two men is convincing nonetheless. I was drawn into the story immediately and captivated until the end.

I usually only watch a movie once, especially foreign, subtitled films, but I look forward with anticipation to watching Lan Yu again. A real treat for the avid foreign film addict, don't miss this gem, it is a real (and unexpected) treat!

Rating:
Summary: An Unexpected Treat!
Review: This was my first viewing of a film by director Stanley Kwan. I am impressed by his vision and skillful direction. Hun Ju and Le Yiu (Handong Chen and Lan Yu) are believable as the older, successful businessman, and the young architecture student. Kwan has managed to take what might otherwise be a tawdry, uneventful story and turned it into a captivating and thoroughly entertaining film. The sex is understated, but the chemistry between the two men is convincing nonetheless. I was drawn into the story immediately and captivated until the end.

I usually only watch a movie once, especially foreign, subtitled films, but I look forward with anticipation to watching Lan Yu again. A real treat for the avid foreign film addict, don't miss this gem, it is a real (and unexpected) treat!