Notice The Curse of the Golden Flower is a Chinese epic wuxia drama film directed by Zhang Yimou. Released in 2006, it explores themes of power, politics, and family dynamics within the context of the Tang Dynasty. The movie tells the story of an emperor and his empress, who are trapped in a web of deceit and treachery within the walls of the imperial palace. As the title suggests, a curse hangs over the royal family, symbolized by a beautiful golden chrysanthemum flower. **The main idea of the movie revolves around the toxic nature of power and the destructive effects it can have on individuals and relationships.** Throughout the film, the audience is exposed to a visually stunning display of lavish costumes, intricate set designs, and intense martial arts sequences.
Gong, who rose to stardom in Zhang films, reunites with the director for the first time since 1995’s “Shanghai Triad.” It’s a shame they could not have resumed their cinematic partnership with a better story.
They return to the Forbidden City as the Chrysanthemum Festival approaches, and soon plots, old secrets, and family dynamics all come out of the woodwork. In Curse of the Golden Flower, Zhang throws armies of digital constructs on the screen as though trying to rival the battles of The Lord of the Rings movies.
** Throughout the film, the audience is exposed to a visually stunning display of lavish costumes, intricate set designs, and intense martial arts sequences. The cinematography, combined with the grandeur of the palace and the opulence of imperial life, creates an atmosphere of both beauty and tension. The characters in the movie are complex and multi-dimensional, reflecting a range of emotions and motivations.
Curse of the Golden Flower
I just feel compelled to share this. I noticed how the director Yi-Mou Zhang creates some of the most visually stunning movies I've ever seen. Not only that, but creates these epic dramas with only a dash of Martial Arts.
First of all, 90% of this movie was absolutely captivating in every way. While watching I was wondering why this movie only had a 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. I thought "If this was released this year, it would probably have 90% or more. Maybe it just came out at a bad time?" - and I still feel that way, BUT as usual the director has a tendency to make the final bit of the movie overly dramatic to a point where it almost takes you out of the movie. Same with with House of Flying Daggers, absolutely perfect movie until the end where it becomes almost silly dramatic. Even Shadow has a dramatic ending, but it wasn't as distracting as these other two. But please don't let that deter you from checking out any of his movies. On the contrary, you NEED to check out his films if you haven't. They have visuals that will stick with you for the rest of your life.
If you want some examples for what I'm talking about, don't read if you haven't watched the movies as it contains spoilers. But basically, how the characters end up killing each-other, or stabbing themselves, or slow-motion yelling scenes. When the mother with the daughter runs towards the guys and essentially just kills herself, that felt cheesy acting or editing-wise. When the good son is 1v1000ing in slow-motion and all you see is him screaming and swinging his spear around, it feels cheesy. I don't understand how the movie can literally be so perfect up until these brief moments that take you out of it. Maybe it's just me though? I told that to my grandpa and he didn't seem to be bothered by it, he just said how he didn't like the ending and how the evil guy wins. That's fair, but besides the point. Does anyone else feel the way I do about his films?
Let me just reiterate that if you haven't seen his movies, or even seen this movie specifically definitely check them out. House of Flying Daggers, Curse of the Golden Flower, Shadow. These 3 movies are some of the best visuals you'll ever see in movies that also have great compelling story and characters.
First of all, 90% of this movie was absolutely captivating in every way. While watching I was wondering why this movie only had a 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. I thought "If this was released this year, it would probably have 90% or more. Maybe it just came out at a bad time?" - and I still feel that way, BUT as usual the director has a tendency to make the final bit of the movie overly dramatic to a point where it almost takes you out of the movie. Same with with House of Flying Daggers, absolutely perfect movie until the end where it becomes almost silly dramatic. Even Shadow has a dramatic ending, but it wasn't as distracting as these other two. But please don't let that deter you from checking out any of his movies. On the contrary, you NEED to check out his films if you haven't. They have visuals that will stick with you for the rest of your life.
**The film portrays the turmoil and inner conflicts faced by individuals who are thrust into power and the difficult choices they must make to protect their own interests.** The Curse of the Golden Flower also explores the dynamics of family relationships, particularly the strained bond between parents and children. The emperor and empress, played by Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li, respectively, struggle to maintain their authority and control over their sons while grappling with their own personal ambitions and desires. The film’s plot is filled with political intrigue, secret alliances, and betrayals, creating a sense of suspense that keeps the audience engaged. The dark and brooding tone of the movie reinforces the underlying theme of the curse that haunts the characters and their decisions. In conclusion, The Curse of the Golden Flower is a visually stunning and thematically rich film that delves into the complexities of power, politics, and family dynamics. **With its intricate plot and compelling performances, it serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked ambition and the destructive nature of power.**.
Reviews for "The Legacy of the Tang Dynasty in "Curse of the Golden Flower"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Notice the curse of the golden flower". The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the pacing was incredibly slow. I found myself losing interest and struggling to finish the film. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. Overall, I didn't enjoy my experience watching this film and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Notice the curse of the golden flower" was a boring and confusing mess. The cinematography was visually stunning, but that was the only redeeming quality of the film. The story was convoluted and lacked focus, leaving me feeling confused and uninterested in what was happening on screen. The performances were lackluster, with the actors failing to bring any depth or emotion to their characters. I regret wasting my time watching this film and would advise others to steer clear of it.
3. Mike - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Notice the curse of the golden flower", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The storyline was predictable and lacked originality. The action sequences were repetitive and failed to create any sense of excitement. The film also had pacing issues, with long and dragged-out scenes that interrupted the flow of the plot. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre film that didn't live up to the hype.