Rating: 
Summary: My stars are for Bai Ling
Review: I haven't watched many of Bai Ling's American films other than Red Corner. I just saw her in Dumplings - Three Extremes and she is fabulous. It was sometimes disappointing seeing photos of Bai Ling in loud and revealing clothing so different from her subdued knockout style in Red Corner but Dumplings made me come around to appreciating Bai Ling regardless of what she is wearing and to even appreciate the beauty and talent she has to carry off some really wild outfits. She really is a very good actress. I think there are many ways to SELL yourself as a media product and she's a lot better than some of the professional girls next door in HK cinema who can NOT act. Bai Ling is willing to put aside personal concerns and to expose herself (not just physically) to do a good job and I hope Chinese filmmakers use her more. I would love to see her in more quality productions.
Rating:
Summary: China Apologists Stay Away
Review: If you're a big fan of Chinese forced-labor camps, having nuclear missiles pointing at your head, or getting run over by tanks during public protests, you probably won't like this movie. Sorry, it doesn't try to evade China's human rights violations like the mainstream media does.This movie has its flaws (mainly in some cliche Hollywood techniques like "the techno-geek saves the day"), but it's a pretty well-made movie about two heroic characters (both Gere's and the cute Asian lawyer) fighting for freedom. If you liked The Shawshank Redemption and The Hurricane, you'll probably like this one. It's not as good, but in a world of anti-heroes, it's definitely a breath of fresh air. Gere is especially sympathetic as a man who is strong but believable. (No Rambo stuff here.) And if you find yourself irritated by the China-lovers bashing this film, pick up a book by Harry Wu (e.g., Troublemaker) and learn what China is really like. And visit my own site: savethehumans.com.
Rating: 
Summary: Gere's suffering for his art
Review: In 'Red Corner' Richard Gere plays a lawyer doing business in China. He sleeps with a local lady of questionable morality and next morning wakes to find her dead. Gere is framed for her murder and in China, according to this movie, you're guilty until proven innocent. Weighing in at just over two hours the film never sags and Director Jon Avnet manages to hold the interest, especially when the lovely Bai Ling is appointed to defend Gere. There is little to make 'Red Corner' more than an average thriller but you could do worse on a cold winter's night than curl up with the DVD and let your brain ignore the plot inconsistencies or the depiction of the Chinese authorities as heartless, murderous villains. Gere grins and bears it all manfully and his suits look good even under extreme pressure but it is Bai Ling who shines in the pedestrian plot. She's alone worth the price of admission. The DVD features a Director's feature length commentary and a theatrical trailer. The sound is good and the photography excellent. 'Red Corner' - like its unimaginative title - is good enough but it could have been a whole lot better if the screenplay had been a little more edgy and intelligent. Still, if you're not too particular you may enjoy this fairly interesting action packed thriller.
Rating:
Summary: Gere Enlightens..Ling Bai delights
Review: In this 1997 Political Thriller, Richard Gere and Director Jon Avnet(Up Close and Personal/Fried Green Tomatoes)have made a film that brings to light the lack of freedoms given to defendants in the Chineese judicial system.A sytem where a defendant is guilty until proven innocent,where pleading guilty(even if innocent) may prove for a more lenient punishment then defending yourself. In this gripping eye-opener Gere plays American lawyer Jack Moore trying to close a huge deal with the Chineese Film Ministry. While being wined and dined, he meets and spends the night with a beautiful woman. They drink, have fun, and make love. Moore is shocked to be awakened in the morning by the Police taking him into custody for the girl's violent murder.
He's got her blood all over him, fingerprints all around,and is in her bed. The case is pretty much sealed from that moment on.
To make matters worse, the woman is the daughter of a very important General.Was he framed for this horrific crime? If so, why? Moore is pretty much left on his own. The American Embassy is no great help to him.(The point is made in the film that if this were a foreigner in our country, in the same situation, we would not want their government interfering either).Then he is assigned an advocate who he has never met, nor discussed the case with. Shen Yeulin(Ling Bai) as well as being young and beautiful, is an intellegent lawyer who knows the ropes of the Chineese legal system. She insists Moore plead guilty to possibly avoid execution. Moore insists that he is innocent, and as he points out the discrepencies of the case to her, she puts her reputation and career on the line and they work together to prove his innocence. There are many gripping as well as poignant moments,in and out of the courtroom, in the film. Moore escapes at one point running across the rooftops heading for that beautiful American Flag at the Embassy. Shen Yeulin does some secretive investigating on her own, and gets roughed up for her efforts.And of course the beautiful friendship that develops between Moore and Shen Yeulin is heartwarming. The story is enlightening and thought provoking as well as entertaining. It is beautifully filmed, with a beautiful score by Thomas Newman. Richard Gere makes good use of our own Freedom of Expression, to expose this form of government. He was awarded the Freedom of Expression Award from the Nat'l Board of Review for his efforts.
Ling Bai is stunning in her portrayal of the dissenting Chineese lawyer and reiceved the Best Breakthrough Award from the same board. The film also recieved an award for "Democracy" from the Political Film Society. The transfer to DVD(MGM) is beautiful. This theatrically released widescreen edition takes in all the action and scenery.The picture is crisp and clear in all scenes, and the colors are vivid. The Sound is in 5.1 surround and the dialouge also clear. Extras include Audio commentary by Avnet which can be played during the film if you choose. There are some production notes, an original theatrical trailer and may be viewed in French.It also comes with a very informative booklet of a behind the scenes look. If you already know you like this film, you should be happy with this DVD. If you havn't seen it, it's well worth the view.
Check it out.....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: A thought-provoking film - WAKE UP AMERICA!
Review: It brings to light the suppression and control that China has over its people under communism . . . guilty until proven innocent; truth does not matter; no respect for human life; no freedom; no rights of the people; no choice; no God. I think everyone should see it, think about it and be appreciative of our freedom.
Rating: 
Summary: Captivating...
Review: Jack Moore (Richard Gere) is an American lawyer who is representing cable/satelite TV interests in China. While he is doing business he meets a sexy model and they spend the night together. Only to find himself framed for murder in the morning. Shen Moore (Bai Ling) is assigned to defend his case. At first she believes that he is guilty too. But after a few turns of events she is risking everything to prove his innocents. There is never a dull moment...you are kept on the edge of your seat. Richard Gere and Bai Ling both give very believable, tremendous performances. This is not your typical court room drama. The relationship that develops between Jack and Shen is very touching. They reach deep into each others lives and are able to find strengths to face reality and stand up for what they believe is right. Richard Gere is a very talented actor, he was wonderful in this movie. I would also like to see Bai Ling in other movies. She is a very brilliant actress. I could watch this one over and over again. The little children reminded me of my year and a half stay in korea...they are always so fascinated with americans. Beautiful scenes and music. Well worth your time and a good one to own.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Film, But Not Captivating
Review: Jack Moore (Richard Gere) is in China trying to close the deal on a lucrative TV contract when he meets a beautiful girl at a nightclub. Sparks fly and Jack finds himself spending a wonderful night with her. But when Jack wakes up in the morning it is to the sound of police yelling at him. Jack's beautiful lady is dead and Jack is covered in blood with incriminating evidence all around him that says he is the killer. Jack is almost positive that he could not have done this, but he can't really remember exactly what happened as he had quite a bit to drink. He turns to the American Embassy for assistance, only to discover that they can do nothing for him. Jack's appointed attorney, Shen Yuelin (Ling Bai), seems completely uninterested in the facts of the case, not even bothering to meet with him before Jack appears in court the first time. Then she insists that Jack plead guilty and hope for leniency. Jack is furious that no one is on his side, not understanding that, in China, you are guilty until proven innocent and that if you plead innocent and are found guilty, you are taken out and shot. As the court case continues, Jack is fully aware that the whole proceeding is a parody of justice. No one in the courtroom cares what really happened, no one seems interested in finding the real murderer or in hearing his side of the story. Most of the time Jack can't even understand what is going on as his translating system keeps going off. He does discover that the woman he slept with, the woman who was murdered, was the daughter of a General in the Chinese military and that the general is very interested in seeing his daughter's killer brought to justice. If only Jack could convince all of them that they have the wrong man... Red Corner was a good film, but for being a thriller, I found the thrill a little bit lacking. I found myself restless while I watched the film and started puttering around the house, working on little things and listening to the dialogue instead of watching it. I also thought that the message was a little too heavy-handed at times. Most of the Chinese in the film were shown as stupid or corrupt and that is simply not the case. I wish that Director Jon Arnet could have shown more of the cultural differences to try and explain that you are working with a whole different mentality rather than a group of people who are just mean and cruel. Those points aside, the film did make me very grateful to live in America, where we have many freedoms that we take for granted. The story was a little boring at first, but once all of the pieces started coming together at the end, it caught my interest again and I thought that it had a good ending. With some beautiful scoring by Thomas Newman, decent acting by Richard Gere alongside a luminous Ling Bai, this is a movie for people who enjoy a lot of politics mixed in with a little bit of action.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Film, But Not Captivating
Review: Jack Moore (Richard Gere) is in China trying to close the deal on a lucrative TV contract when he meets a beautiful girl at a nightclub. Sparks fly and Jack finds himself spending a wonderful night with her. But when Jack wakes up in the morning it is to the sound of police yelling at him. Jack's beautiful lady is dead and Jack is covered in blood with incriminating evidence all around him that says he is the killer. Jack is almost positive that he could not have done this, but he can't really remember exactly what happened as he had quite a bit to drink. He turns to the American Embassy for assistance, only to discover that they can do nothing for him. Jack's appointed attorney, Shen Yuelin (Ling Bai), seems completely uninterested in the facts of the case, not even bothering to meet with him before Jack appears in court the first time. Then she insists that Jack plead guilty and hope for leniency. Jack is furious that no one is on his side, not understanding that, in China, you are guilty until proven innocent and that if you plead innocent and are found guilty, you are taken out and shot. As the court case continues, Jack is fully aware that the whole proceeding is a parody of justice. No one in the courtroom cares what really happened, no one seems interested in finding the real murderer or in hearing his side of the story. Most of the time Jack can't even understand what is going on as his translating system keeps going off. He does discover that the woman he slept with, the woman who was murdered, was the daughter of a General in the Chinese military and that the general is very interested in seeing his daughter's killer brought to justice. If only Jack could convince all of them that they have the wrong man... Red Corner was a good film, but for being a thriller, I found the thrill a little bit lacking. I found myself restless while I watched the film and started puttering around the house, working on little things and listening to the dialogue instead of watching it. I also thought that the message was a little too heavy-handed at times. Most of the Chinese in the film were shown as stupid or corrupt and that is simply not the case. I wish that Director Jon Arnet could have shown more of the cultural differences to try and explain that you are working with a whole different mentality rather than a group of people who are just mean and cruel. Those points aside, the film did make me very grateful to live in America, where we have many freedoms that we take for granted. The story was a little boring at first, but once all of the pieces started coming together at the end, it caught my interest again and I thought that it had a good ending. With some beautiful scoring by Thomas Newman, decent acting by Richard Gere alongside a luminous Ling Bai, this is a movie for people who enjoy a lot of politics mixed in with a little bit of action.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie that Exposes Corrupt Government Officials
Review: Red Corner shows what can occur in the courts of China. It emphasizes the need for change.
In the movie, Gere's character has to go through an uphill battle to prove his innocence. He is told that he is guilty before he has even given a chance to argue in trial. The end result of the movie proves satisfying.
Giovanni's review is inaccurate. Gere's acting is good. His character is not a common business man. Giovanni must have missed part of the movie because it is shown that Gere's character studied law at Harvard. His character requests for a English translation of the Chinese laws and studies them. He uses his intelligence to figure out what can be done in the courtroom, but learns that the laws that he read about don't stand for much.
Rating:
Summary: Bai Ling's Terrific!
Review: The criticisms are overwhelming. RED CORNER is described as nothing more than a soap-operatic propaganda movie, lead by a Hollywood superstar (Richard Gere) who is a vocal supporter of the Dalai Lama (and hence a critic of the mainland Chinese government).
AND, of course, the movie critics are correct. No one is suggesting (or should suggest) that Avnet's movie is an Oscar-winning material, and the movie, despite the bru-ha-ha from Gere's camp, is aimed primarily for the popcorn-eating viewers. There's nothing shameful, really, about this.
Overall, RED CORNER is a movie full of suspense. And actress Bai Ling is terrific as the leading lady. Gere's performance is disappointing though, and he played his part without conviction.
Three Stars from me.
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