The brightest star...

Rating: 9/10 (21 January 2001)

Some reviewers here are calling for Zhang Ziyi to be nominated for the 2001 Oscar for best supporting actress. Are they sure? If at all, it should be for best actress! Hers was the character around which the others revolve.
I could see this film over and over again  once at least, to soak in the drama, action and atmosphere; once to savour the poetic Mandarin dialogue (such as: Jen, `And this little boy who fails to find his star turns instead to stealing my comb.' Lo, `I'm a man now, and I've found myself the brightest star.'); once just to wallow in the haunting score; and once to focus on Zhang Ziyi alone...
her sweet curious innocence as an aristocrat's daughterher poise yet potency in battleher tearful defiance under the strain of force from her pursuersher feeble resistance to submission while in a drug-induced stupor I just love that scene of her eyes welling in tears as she was on the verge of being unveiled.
No, the Oscar will not stand up to your talent, Ziyi, and this is only your second film! Yet, alas, your star is shining so brightly now that you will soon be lost to the big studios and end up in some low Jackie Chan or Hollywood action flicks, or to some directors more obsessed with you than making a good film. Sigh.