Unforgettable and unexpected story - a must watch

Rating: 10/10 (3 April 2012)

A lot of things about this movie are quite different from what I expected.
First of all it isn't a docu-drama with too many characters that squeezes every incident about the atrocity into a few hours. Instead it is actually an intimate story about relatively few people which makes a more effective if less informative movie than some of the recent grand productions from China.
Secondly it isn't graphically violent. There are battles, shootings and rape but it doesn't have Saving Private Ryan type close ups. It would be too depressing and morbid if it had.
Thridly, a good portion of it is in English and the subtitles are clear so it's suitable for an international audience.
Fourthly, this movie is actually driven by an unexpectedly fascinating and bizarre story. It is about an American mortician (Bale), a group of convent girls and a group of prostitutes all hiding in a church in the middle of war torn Nanking during the Massacre. Some parts of the plot have fantasy elements eg the part where 1 Chinese soldier fights a whole group of Japanese soldiers/rapists. Brought to mind Inglorious Basterds. There are some very tense and scary moments like the first invasion of the Japanese into the Cathedral and the 2 prostitutes in the city later on. The romance isn't a big part. There are some lighter moments of humor eg the makeover which is kind of astonishing. There are some touching and not over sentimental moments. The horror of the Massacre is shown but in a more intimate scale.
Christian Bale does an earnest interpretation even though he has some silly parts in the beginning. Actress Ni Ni is quite beguiling as a courtesan with a heart of gold. Their relationship is a bit clichéd with a white man and a Chinese prostitute.
The sets and productions are top notch and have an authentic and well photographed feel and look.
Overall this movie is far more watchable and uniquely fascinating than expected. Don't miss it.