The Boy Who Would Be King

Rating: 10/10 (6 April 2006)

"The Last Emperor" tells the real life story of Pu Yi, who was the last emperor of China before it became a republic. Pu Yi (Played as an adult by John Lone)is brought to the Forbidden City as a child and is made emperor. From that moment he becomes a prisoner of circumstance: He cannot leave the palace and even though he is still the emperor, his power is limited to the inhabitants of the Forbidden City since China is ruled by a republic.
Pu Yi wants desperately to escape to the West, starting a new way of life (Going to Oxford is one of his dreams), but he instead escapes into marriage with Wan Jung (Joan Chen) and takes on a concubine (Secondary consort is her title) as well. When he is thrown out of the Forbidden City, he sees a chance to follow his dreams, but instead becomes a puppet for the Japanese, becoming emperor to the republic of Manchuria, resulting in his arrest toward the end of World War II. This results in a new change as he is re-educated and spends his remaining days as a gardener.
Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, we witness the sad tale of Pu Yi, an Emperor with no power, only used as a symbol. He had no control of his fate, and was a puppet since the age of 3.
Worthy performances by Lone, Chen and Peter O'Toole as Pu Yi's tutor. Winner of 9 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, it is a sight to watch and a gripping story to listen to.