UNDOUBTEDLY THE BEST FILM EVER!

Rating: Null/10 (6 December 2000)

(This might contain some spoilers.) Okay, so my family and friends think I am nuts for having gone to the theater 6 times for this particular film. Still, no matter how many times I go, I still cannot get enough of it.
No movie has touched me deeply as CROUCHING TIGER did. And no character has such a tremendous effect on me as Michelle Yeoh's Shu Lien did. I am all praise with Yeoh's performance. She truly is amazing. Never had I thought an action queen can deliver such a formidable dramatic performance but she did - beyond expectations. She made Shu Lien come alive as a woman very much aware of her power and skills yet possessing inner strength and exuding serene, gentle presence. Yeoh employed subtle approach in her acting yet one can see how her character provides balance and harmony to the movie; how she stands equal to other warriors especially the great Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat), her soulmate, and still possess that genteel bearing which, incidentally, drew other men and women to find comfort, refuge and inspiration; how she speaks in humility yet her words carries tremendous insight and great wisdom that counteracts and tempers any impulsiveness exhibited by other characters. I cannot take my eyes off Yeoh or else I will be missing a smile that's so comforting; or a glitter in her eyes that speaks thousand words; or the dropping of her jaw that conveys inner conflict. For me, understanding Shu Lien provides a gateway in entering the core of the film and learning about the essence of the "way" and, capturing the spirit this film wants to convey.
Incidentally, this is a spiritual movie which Ang Lee has helmed with such care and great attention. Lee truly establishes himself as a 1st-rate director with a universal heart and spirit, having captured the universal theme of love and yearning, that even though this particular film is set amidst the backdrop of China's Ching Dynasty, manages to speak to everyone spanning generations, race, classes, gender and age. The cinematography is truly breathtaking and the haunting music simply heightens the emotions that are already there. Even after the curtain closes, one is haunted by the unforgettable characters that lingers in the heart and mind for days; the gravity-defying martial arts scenes; and the poignant story where one has an impulse to change but after some thoughts, is bound to respectfully leave it as it is.
This is truly a remarkable film I encourage each one not to miss. A one-time cinematic splendour!