One Bad Acting

Rating: 9/10 (19 September 2002)

Everybody talks about the film's stunning fight scenes and fantastic music score. I have something else to say:
Chen Chang, as Ziyi's barbarian lover, is totally unconvincing. His makeup can't hide his boy accent; his performance can't match up with other 3 stars; his role unnecessary; his lines become unbearably poetic after they fall in love. If the subplot involving the relationship between Ziyi and Chang were removed from the film, it wouldn't hurt the narrative a bit.
Near the end of the movie, Chang is put in Wu-Dong monastery by Chow Yun-Fat to wait for Ziyi. When she arrives, they make passionate love in western style (again). I must point out it's impossible that she could stay in his room due to strict rules in the monastery.
Then comes the bizarre ending as Ziyi jumps into the river from a bridge high above. Chang Chen, who stands beside her, doesn't even have any response to her suicide. He just looks at another direction like wood. Ang Lee should have had a better judgment when choosing an actor.