Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on March 12, 2010 at 20:49:33

In Reply to: RE: lack of story? It's a road map and examination of a turbulent time in China's history and a study on the posted by Tony D. on March 12, 2010 at 17:13:30

opinion?
It couldn't be that I felt it fell to the simplistic side (not simple) or a story? That it was stylistically weak and that it needed more to carry the story? Or that the weak depiction of the teacher helped to sink it? That the mother was poorly cast and played? That it had enough clichés and swelling music to make Hollywood producers salivate?
I'm sorry, but a cute lead, beautiful but easy cinematography, a story which had no definition just isn't enough. Yes, Communism was bad. It disrupted lives.
SPOILER
You know what was poor? The turnout of the pupils for the funeral. That was SO melodramatic. Far better would have been NO one showing up which is what happens in a truly real life. People do things and get no recognition, teachers especially. THAT is a much more emotional fact than the music-swelling, feel-good ending of this film.
Not a terrible film, just not anywhere near his best.