one of the most beautiful films ever to grace cinemas everywhere

Rating: 10/10 (20 February 2001)

I have just got back from watching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for the third time in less than a week. I have been to see it practically every other day during the half term with my friends. (Note: This movie has great date potential!)
There will be those that will come away from CTHD disappointed. This does not reflect on the content of the film, but rather the individuals in question. This film has been nominated for 10 Oscars and 14 BAFTAs (the British equivalent) and should, in my opinion, deserve more. It seems that the general public isn't as stupid as previously thought and will actually pay good money to see a subtitled film, if they think it is in their interest.
The storyline is set in the Qing dynasty, in 19th Century China, a time of strict morals and high expectations of the young. With such masterpieces as "The Ice Storm" and "Ride With the Devil", (bizarrely enough, shown for less than 3 weeks in UK cinemas) Ang Lee has proved himself to be one of the most versatile, intelligent people working in modern cinema today.
I won't regurgitate on what countless numbers of people have already written here; but for me, there are very similar and interesting lines drawn here that overlap what 'American Beauty' and similar dramas are trying to tell us. It seems to me that CTHD is a daring story about the courage it takes to be yourself, in the same vein as other dramas of the year. (American Beauty, Boys Don't Cry) Intelligent, discerning people should come away from this movie and reflect on the hidden ideas that Ang Lee is trying to relate to us - what is our place in society? why do we conform to authority? etc.
The other thing is, if you're a martial arts fanatic and are expecting a full-blown studio production along the lines of Jackie Chan / Jet Li, you will be very disappointed. This is NOT an all-out, hi-octane adventure. What it is, however, is a beautiful passionate look at values of old and contrasting them with society today. (Sometimes I feel like I'm repeating myself over and over...and I wonder why I am bothering. Words fail to do this film justice.)
Newcomer Zhang Zi Yi is one of the most haunting young faces to grace cinema screens today. I get the impression that the writer must have almost written the part for her - it is as though she has some kind of inherent haughtiness in her. Her expression can be read in more than one way at some points in the film and there is a definite unpredictable element in her attitude to the circumstances. Moreover, this film shows humanity, as American Beauty did. It shows compassion and caring.
People go to see films to be entertained, excited, and taken on a ride for a couple of hours. CTHD does this and so much more, this is moral therapy of the very highest order. It is a soulful action 'epic' that every man, woman, and child on the face of the planet should be taken to.
To summarise, this is definitely worth your money and time. You won't be disappointed leaving the cinema, and I don't mind admitting that I was crying at the end - I definitely wasn't the only one either. One half of the audience sat there slack-jaw, the other half were openly crying and it reminds me of the society that was, before all this materialism has entered into our lives. CTHD is a wake-up call that must be echoed everywhere. And of course, you always get the small minority, destined to be ignorant forever. Of course, these are the people that laugh at the graceful martial arts...and these are the people that have the collective IQ of a wet fish.
Despite my 16 years it is not hard to see why so many people have hailed this film as truly worthy of gongs come Oscar-time.
The level of humanity and moral destiny on screen was just too great to bear. My only concern is that some of the dramatic impact is lost when the film is transferred from big screen to small screen...is there any chance of a global re-release?