China's Transition

Rating: 7/10 (10 September 2019)

The Last Emperor was a fascinating movie that I think would've been more fascinating if I knew more Chinese history.
The movie is done in biopic form and follows Pu Yi from childhood when he became the emperor of China at three-years-old up until his death in 1967. Pu Yi lived very much in a bubble. He lived in the Forbidden City in Manchuria and was never allowed to leave. China changed drastically while he remained behind the Forbidden City walls such that he never realized he was essentially powerless.
While the movie was following this last emperor it was also following China's travails. We were getting an inside look into the curious life of an emperor while also getting a look at China's transformation. Yes, the movie was long, but it was worth it.