The Emperor and the Assassin

Rating:
Summary: A five-course masterpiece
Review: Whereas "Hero" chose to tell this classic story in stunning colors and in allegorical style, Kaige Chen treats the story of "The Emperor and the Assassin" in epic proportions with much fuller characterizations. The story is much more complex than presented in "Hero," casting the King of Qin in Shakepearean terms. The parallel with Richard III cannot be ignored. Gong Li is fabulous in this movie, as she plays the would-be emperor's wife, desperately seeking a peaceful solution to her husband's megalomaniacal ambitions. What is fascinating to me are all the historical allusions Kaige draws, such as the King razing Zhao, when he learns it is his birthplace. It is also where his wife is from, resulting in a powerfully cathartic moment when she realizes the lengths that he will go to realize his ambitions.

The Assassin is fascinating character, not least of all in the way Queen Zhao is drawn to him, reminding her of the way her husband once was. But this is a most reluctant assassin having given up his sword and choosing the life of a sandal maker. It is through their relationship and some cunning on the part of the Prince of Han that the assassin is once again called into service.

Then there are all the substories, the intrigues being plotted behind the king's back; the relationship between the chief consul and the king's mother; the aging prime minister who has long harbored a secret from the king because of his dream to unite the kingdoms. The film is so rich in detail with epic battle scenes, painting China in rich broad strokes. Yet, Kaige has such a fine eye for detail and deeply nuanced sense of storytelling, giving the film such powerful impact.