Excellent, if not emotionally confusing, film.

Rating: 9/10 (28 February 2004)

I'd like to comment on the "The Last Emperor" from a somewhat oblique angle compared to the usual reviews a film gets.
For starters, it is my opinion that this was a really good film to watch. It also spurred me into researching a little more Chinese, as well as Japanese, history. I think I should note here, there are some great books to research on the life of Pu Yi. There is in fact a book; "Twilight In The Forbidden City" by Reginald F. Johnston as well as "From Emperor to Citizen" an autobiography by Pu Yi himself. I'll list some titles and where to find them at the end of my "comment".
This "oblique" angle that I'd like to take is on the emotional impact of the film.
While I found the film informative and well made, I also found it conveyed an emotional emptiness, and maybe even sadness. I was distraught at the end of the film. In short: It made me feel that here is a man who was somebody, and at the end of his life he has nothing. He lost everything he ever had, and died alone.
While everyone may get something different from the film, they undoubtedly will find similarities with other viewers as well. I almost wish some creative license were taken to end the film on a happier note.
Although, I found it sad, solemn, and many times it made me feel just empty like I wasn't sure what to feel but I wanted anything to fill the emptiness, I also found it compelling. Not many other films have so made me want to learn more about the history, and people in a film.
That's my review. And as a final note: while my review may have had a somewhat down tone to it and may have even left some people feeling like the review is a bit empty or unfinished, I also hope it compelled people to think a little differently about "The Last Emperor" and maybe even spur some of you to do a little of your own research on the people and places in the film.
Books:
Twilight In The Forbidden City by Reginald F. Johnston ISBN: 0848813901
From Emperor To Citizen by Pu Yi ISBN: 7119007726
The Last Emperor by Arnold C. Brackman ISBN: 0881847003
The Last Emperor by Edward Behr ISBN: 0553344749
The Puppet Emperor: The Life of Pu Yi, Last Emperor of China by Brian Power ISBN: 0876634587