Poetry and Martial Arts...

Rating: 10/10 (1 February 2001)

This movie is a bit overrated right now but certainly one of the best movies of the year 2000. Ang Lee's technique may seem odd to our western minds - to combine chinese fairy tale elements and a tragical lovestory. But I was surprised by the good acting that left away all unnecessarities and distinguished itself by its high grade of stylization - a bit like Kurosawa. The action scenes were very well made and always had a funny touch by their exaggeration. The difficult task of retaining enough seriosity to make the lovestory emotionally touching was accomplished by the good camera and the acting. So this film should be credited for astonishing and funny action scenes as well as giving the viewer a glance in his eyes when the protagonists are entangled in love. Additionally, this movie contains a grade of poetry and philosophy that is often missing in mainstream productions - if you like it you will watch it again. To enjoy this movie you have to have an affinity for martial arts, a little knowledge of chinese culture and a sensitivity for big emotions.
Ang Lee is fresh blood in the overaged and unspirited mainstream and hopefully will make more movies of this kind.