masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (14 January 2001)

CROUCHING TIGER has done the unlikely: legitimize a B-movie genre. The film works on every level: story, acting, direction. The action sequences are dazzling and the story is poignant. Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat are thoroughly convincing as the two elder warriors, and their final scene is among the most touching and poignant in any film I have ever seen. There is much talk now about Oscar nominations for this film, and it is entirely deserved. This is all the more impressive when you consider that no one speaks a word of English. I hope this film wakes up Hollywood to the fact that American audiences will flock to good movies regardless of what language they're spoken in and what country they come from. Essential viewing in anyone's book. Period.