Curse of the Golden Flower is a Chinese epic drama film which was directed by Zhang Yimou. The movie was released in 2006 and received critical acclaim for its stunning visuals and gripping story. The film is set during the Tang Dynasty and revolves around the power struggles within the Imperial family. Curse of the Golden Flower tells the story of an Emperor and his Empress, who are immersed in a complex web of deceit, betrayal and revenge. The Emperor, played by Chow Yun-fat, is a tyrant who is obsessed with maintaining his power and ensuring his dynasty's survival. The Empress, played by Gong Li, is trapped in a loveless marriage and constantly plots to gain control and protect her children.
The Crown Prince Yuan Xiang not only has an affair with the Empress, but is also in love with Jiang Chan, the Imperial Doctor’s daughter, whose mother is in fact the Emperor’s ex-wife. Yuan Xiang, however, keeps this unknown.
On the day of Chongyang Festival, Jiang Chan and her mother are hunted by the Emperor s soldiers, and the Empress leads them to a room, where the Empress reveals the true identity of Jiang Chan s mother, namely the Emperor s ex-wife. Thousands of warriors led by Yuan Jie charge the palace, but the Emperor is prepared for Yuan Jie s rebellion, and has hidden a golden-armored army in the palace.
The Empress, played by Gong Li, is trapped in a loveless marriage and constantly plots to gain control and protect her children. The movie explores themes of loyalty, family, and the corrupting influence of power. The characters are portrayed with depth and complexity, and the performances by the lead actors are captivating.
Curse of the Golden Flower
The film is a 2006 Chinese epic directed by Zhang Yimou. The plot is based on a famous play, "Thunderstorm", written by Cao Yu, a celebrated Chinese dramatist, but is set in the imperial court in ancient China.
The Emperor, originally a small military officer, marries a new wife who holds a high position. He plots to have his ex-wife murdered, leaving him with their son, the Crown Prince Yuan Xiang. The Emperor and his new wife, the Empress, give birth to two more princes. His ex-wife escapes death, conceals her name, and marries the Imperial Doctor.
The Emperor discovers that the Empress and Yuan Xiang are having an illicit affair and secretly orders the Imperial Doctor to add tiny amounts of poisons into the Empress’ medicine. The Empress feels dizzy and is aware of the poison, but still eats the medicine in order to not raise the Emperor’s suspicion.
The Empress persuades Prince Yuan Jie to rebel during the Chongyang Festival, the day for appreciating golden chrysanthemum flowers, and kill the Emperor.
The Crown Prince Yuan Xiang not only has an affair with the Empress, but is also in love with Jiang Chan, the Imperial Doctor’s daughter, whose mother is in fact the Emperor’s ex-wife. Yuan Xiang, however, keeps this unknown.
On the day of Chongyang Festival, Jiang Chan and her mother are hunted by the Emperor’s soldiers, and the Empress leads them to a room, where the Empress reveals the true identity of Jiang Chan’s mother, namely the Emperor’s ex-wife. Knowing that she is Yuan Xiang’s half-sister, Jiang Chan gets crazy and runs out, with her mother running after her, and then the two both get killed.
Thousands of warriors led by Yuan Jie charge the palace, but the Emperor is prepared for Yuan Jie’s rebellion, and has hidden a golden-armored army in the palace. The prince manages to fight but eventually has to surrender.
After the battle, the yard is cleaned up swiftly as if nothing happened. The Emperor does not sentence Yuan Jie to death, instead punishing him by forcing him to feed poisoned medicine to the Empress everyday. Yuan Jie apologizes to his mother for his failure to kill the Emperor and commits suicide. His blood spills on the Empress’s medicine, and the Empress screams aloud, slapping the plate out of the servant’s hands with extreme grief.
Comments:
The film is a kind of feast in terms of its gorgeous costumes and spectacular scenes. Many praise the movie, while some think it is a poor reflection of director Zhang Yimou’s past acclaimed works.
After the battle, the yard is cleaned up swiftly as if nothing happened. The Emperor does not sentence Yuan Jie to death, instead punishing him by forcing him to feed poisoned medicine to the Empress everyday. Yuan Jie apologizes to his mother for his failure to kill the Emperor and commits suicide. His blood spills on the Empress’s medicine, and the Empress screams aloud, slapping the plate out of the servant’s hands with extreme grief.
The extravagant costumes and ornate sets create a visually stunning world that adds to the grandeur of the story. Curse of the Golden Flower is known for its intense and violent scenes, as well as its stylistic cinematography. The film incorporates elements of traditional Chinese opera, showcasing elaborate fight sequences and dramatic performances. The use of color is particularly striking, with vibrant reds and golds dominating the screen. Despite its acclaim, Curse of the Golden Flower was not without controversy. Some critics argued that the film was overly melodramatic and lacked subtlety. Others questioned its historical accuracy, noting that the Tang Dynasty was not known for its opulent extravagance portrayed in the movie. Overall, Curse of the Golden Flower is a visually stunning and emotionally gripping film that offers a unique insight into Chinese history and culture. Its exploration of power dynamics and the consequences of unchecked ambition make it a thought-provoking and engaging watch..
Reviews for "Untangling the Curse of the Golden Flower: Interpreting the Symbolism"
1. John - 2/5 - "Curse of the golden flower" was a disappointment for me. The storyline was confusing and convoluted, making it hard to follow. The characters lacked depth and development, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The visuals were stunning, but that was not enough to redeem the film for me. Overall, I did not enjoy this movie and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 3/5 - I had high expectations for "Curse of the golden flower," but unfortunately, it fell short. While the set designs and costumes were visually appealing, the story felt shallow and predictable. The acting was mediocre, and the characters lacked depth and motivation. I felt disconnected from the film and found it hard to stay engaged throughout. Although the film had its moments, it was ultimately a lackluster experience for me.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I was excited to watch "Curse of the golden flower," but it turned out to be a letdown. The plot was confusing and convoluted, with too many subplots that were poorly developed. The pacing was also uneven, making it hard to stay invested in the story. While the visuals were impressive, they were not enough to save the film for me. Overall, I found it disappointing and would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 2/5 - "Curse of the golden flower" had the potential to be a great movie, but it fell flat for me. The performances felt over-the-top, and the characters seemed one-dimensional. The story lacked depth and nuance, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. While the production design was impressive, it was not enough to compensate for the film's other shortcomings. I was disappointed by this film and would not watch it again.
5. Jessica - 3/5 - "Curse of the golden flower" had its moments, but overall, it left me underwhelmed. The story had potential, but it felt rushed and lacked proper development. The characters were not well-rounded, and their motivations felt unclear. The visuals were stunning, but they couldn't make up for the film's other flaws. While I didn't hate it, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it to others.