Catch the Curse of the Golden Flower "Curse of the Golden Flower" is a 2006 epic action drama film directed by Zhang Yimou. Set in ancient China during the Tang Dynasty, the film tells the story of a royal family plagued by intrigue, power struggles, and a deadly secret. The Golden Flower is a symbol of power and beauty, but it hides a curse that threatens to tear the family apart. **At the heart of the film is the Emperor and his Empress, played by Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li, respectively.** Their marriage is crumbling, and they are both involved in extramarital affairs, which only adds to the tension within the palace. The Empress is determined to regain control and power, and she will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, even if it means sacrificing her own family.
Crown Prince Wan: Liu Ye
Zhang devotes considerable screen time to the details of the palace s daily rituals as if scrutiny of these formalized routines involving maids, courtiers and eunuchs will reveal something about the malevolent rot beneath the surface. Some critics have worried about his obsession with visual dazzle and digitized effects, but the stories and fights in the first two films more than measured up to the sumptuous design.
The Empress is determined to regain control and power, and she will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, even if it means sacrificing her own family. The film is visually stunning, with elaborate costumes, grand sets, and breathtaking cinematography. The use of vibrant colors, especially gold, symbolizes the opulence and wealth of the royal family, but it also represents the corruption and decay that lie beneath the surface.
"Curse of Golden Flower" a disappointing misfire
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In “Hero” (2003), “House of Flying Daggers” (2004) and now “Curse of the Golden Flower,” director Zhang Yimou has transformed Hong Kong martial arts/fantasy movies into grand, international spectacles.
Some critics have worried about his obsession with visual dazzle and digitized effects, but the stories and fights in the first two films more than measured up to the sumptuous design. “Curse,” though, feels disappointingly inert.
With a great cast headed by Chow Yun Fat, Gong Li -- thus reuniting Zhang with his one-time muse and lover -- and Asian pop star Jay Chou as well as palace interiors that would not be out of place on the Las Vegas Strip, “Curse” does dazzle the eye, but its story plays like a bad soap opera. This emperor’s family is so treacherous as to make Hamlet seem like a fairly well-adjusted member of an easygoing household.
As the Chinese entry for the foreign-language Oscar and with a strong push from Sony Pictures Classics for this big-budgeted epic by one of the world’s best directors, “Curse” should open well when it gets released nationally in January after a December 22 limited release. But the boxoffice might not equal that of Zhang’s previous action films because, frankly, there isn’t all that much action.
Zhang makes the chrysanthemum the film’s visual leitmotif. The story takes place during a Chong Yang Festival in 928 A.D. Still celebrated today, the holiday is closely associated with that flower, so Zhang fills the screen with flowers and costumes in opulent gold. In a statement, he quotes an old Chinese saying, “Gold and jade on the outside, rot and decay on the inside,” to explain his determination to smoother his characters and sets with gold. Meanwhile, in the lengthy corridors and vast halls of the palace, light shines through colorful art glass in walls, windows, pillars and props, thus establishing a Vegas look.
In his story, he finds plenty of rot and decay. It starts with the Emperor (Jay Chow), who decides to add poison to the multiple daily doses of herbal medicine he has prescribed for the Empress (Gong). One would like a clearer understanding for this act. True, the Empress has conducted an illicit affair with her stepson, Crown Prince Wan (Liu). But this has been going on for three years so why does Emperor take action only now?
Oddly enough, the Emperor is about to promote Prince Jai (Chou), their son together, just returned with great success in battle, as his heir apparent, passing over the Crown Prince, a palace-dwelling wastrel. Nevertheless, the poisoning turns wife against husband, brother against brother, army against the palace guard. The nefarious family stratagems and schemes lay bare dark secrets dating back to the Emperor’s first wife and ensnare the imperial doctor (Ni Dahong), his daughter (Li Man) and a wife (Chen Jin) long kept in hiding. If only the royals had an imperial family therapist.
Zhang devotes considerable screen time to the details of the palace’s daily rituals as if scrutiny of these formalized routines involving maids, courtiers and eunuchs will reveal something about the malevolent rot beneath the surface. This greatly adds to the running time but not to insight into character motivation.
Corseted with stiff gold costumes, Chow and Gong still mange to convey a marriage of convenience fallen into ruin, the formalities unable to disguise the couple’s deep contempt for one another. Jay Chow shows fire as the middle son, who is truly caught in the middle between father and mother. Liu tries to pull together the pieces of an erratically written character, while Chen makes up for her late appearance in the film with strong scenes and athletic fights.
Despite Zhang’s collaboration with action director Ching Siu-Tokng, the film’s few fights are cluttered and undistinguished, in direct contrast to the clarity of the terrific stunt work in the director’s previous action films. Zhang over-relies on CGI, but the level of success in no way matches the battles of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the high bar to which any film attempting vast battles must now aspire. In the hand-to-hand combat, the action is often jarring and even confusing.
Alas, in “Curse,” the costumes and sets have all the good lines.
Emperor: Chow Yun Fat
Empress: Gong Li
Prince Jai: Jay Chou
Crown Prince Wan: Liu Ye
Some critics have worried about his obsession with visual dazzle and digitized effects, but the stories and fights in the first two films more than measured up to the sumptuous design. “Curse,” though, feels disappointingly inert.
**The curse of the Golden Flower serves as a metaphor for the decay and destruction that can come from absolute power and ambition.** It is a reminder that no matter how rich or powerful one may be, there are always consequences for one's actions. The film explores themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships. The Emperor's sons are caught in the crossfire of their parents' power struggles, and they must navigate the treacherous palace politics in order to survive. **Ultimately, the curse of the Golden Flower becomes a catalyst for change and redemption, forcing the characters to confront their own demons and make difficult choices.** "Curse of the Golden Flower" is not only a visually stunning film but also a thought-provoking exploration of power, love, and the consequences of one's actions. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that power can corrupt even the most noble of individuals, and that true love and loyalty can be easily lost in a world driven by ambition and greed. **The curse of the Golden Flower is a reminder that true power lies not in material wealth or political influence, but in the strength of one's character and the capacity for love and forgiveness.**.
Reviews for "The hidden meanings in "Curse of the Golden Flower"
- Michael - 2 stars - I found "Catch the curse of the golden flower" to be an incredibly dull and confusing film. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with multiple subplots and characters that seemed to serve no purpose. The pacing was incredibly slow, and by the end, I found myself disconnected from the story and uninvested in the characters. The visual effects were impressive, but unfortunately, they couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling. Overall, I was disappointed with this film and would not recommend it to others.
- Emily - 1 star - "Catch the curse of the golden flower" was an absolute mess. The movie had a promising premise, but it quickly descended into a chaotic and nonsensical mess. The dialogue was cheesy and forced, and the performances were subpar at best. The fight scenes were overly choreographed and lacked any real excitement or tension. I found myself checking my watch multiple times throughout the film, hoping it would end soon. It's safe to say that this is one film I won't be watching again.
- John - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Catch the curse of the golden flower" based on the beautiful cinematography and costumes, but unfortunately, that was the only thing this movie had going for it. The storyline was convoluted and difficult to understand, and the characters lacked any depth or development. I was hoping for an epic tale, but instead, I was left feeling bored and unengaged. The film had potential, but it ultimately fell flat.