Backdrop preview China Moon backdrop
China Moon

China Moon (1994)

Mar 04, 1994 1h 39m Mystery Thriller

Detective Kyle Bodine falls for Rachel Munro who is trapped in a violent marriage. After shooting her husband, Kyle relucantly agrees to help hide the body, but Kyle's partner is showing an unusual flair for finding clues.

Watch Trailer
Directed by John Bailey

Cast

View All

Crew

Director
  • John Bailey
Writer
  • Roy Carlson
Producer
  • Roy Carlson
  • Carol Kim
  • Barrie M. Osborne

Reviews

John Chard
7/10

The porcelain prince and princess.

China Moon is directed by John Bailey and written by Roy Carlson. It stars Ed Harris, Madeleine Stowe, Benicio del Toro, Charles Dance and Patricia Healy. Music is by George Fenton and cinematography by Willy Kurant.

To be kind since China Moon is a very good film in its own right, that is for lovers of film noir and its off shoot neo-noir, it's a film where its only crime is not being as great as previous instalments of noirs classic era and neo. Story treads deliciously familiar ground, where Harris' intrepid cop falls deep for Stowe's sultry babe and before he can say " I would do anything for you", he's in it up to his neck.

In true noir fashion there's a twisty road to be navigated, nothing is as it at first seems, with hidden agendas, shifty shenanigans and emotional turmoil all playing a hand. The police procedural aspect intrigues greatly, with the devilish kicker of Harris investigating himself, while the intricacies of crime investigation - such as bullet science - is not given short shrift.

As a mood piece it scores high, the sweaty Florida settings ripe for Bailey (a cinematographer by trade) to mix a bit of poetic ambiance with misty shimmers, rainy bleakness and colour coded criminality that's not detrimental to true noir essence. Perfs are from the higher end of the scale, and the makers add enough original touches of their own so as to not let this become a pointless retread.

Closing superbly with a double whammy finale, China Moon is one that film noir lovers should sample. 7/10

Oct 22, 2017

Wuchak
6/10

**_Neo-noir in the heart of Florida with Ed Harris, Madeleine Stowe and Benicio Del Toro_**

A good detective in the Tampa Bay area (Harris) trains his greenhorn partner (Del Toro) while starting a relationship with an alluring woman (Stowe). It turns out she’s in an abusive marriage with a pompous banker (Charles Dance). Havoc ensues.

“China Moon” (1994) is a crime drama/thriller similar to “Body Heat” from over a dozen years earlier; even the setting is similar. The difference is that “Body Heat” was a hit at the box office while this one failed to acquire an audience and basically went into obscurity.

Regardless, it’s a well-done ‘modern’ film noir that’s more conventional than highly stylized, but includes some brooding rainy night sequences. The acting is great, but the forced ending is ridiculous. It wasn’t necessary. Kyle (Harris) finding himself in an ironic role while his rookie pal suddenly discovers how to be a detective was interesting enough. Then it gets eye-rolling. Why Sure!

Still, if you like neo-noir and the actors, it’s worth checking out.

The movie runs 1 hour, 39 minutes, and was shot in the Greater Tampa Bay area, including Lakeland and Bartow, which are an hour’s drive east of Tampa; and St. Pete’s Beach.

GRADE: B-

May 29, 2024

Sign in to leave a review.

Thematic Analysis

China Moon represents a fascinating example of Mystery/Thriller cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.

Director John Bailey brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1994, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of China Moon took approximately 11 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • With a budget of $15.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 99 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 149 minutes long.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
  • The costume department created over 472 unique costume pieces for the production.
  • The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.

Historical Context

  • In 1994, when this film was released:
  • Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
  • The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

While China Moon shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike The Octagon, which focuses more on action than character development, China Moon offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.

While films like The Memory of a Killer and Insomnia explore similar territory, China Moon stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: March 4, 1994
  • Runtime: 1h 39m
  • Budget: $15,000,000
  • Revenue: $3,038,499

Where to Watch

fuboTV
MGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
MGM Plus
Philo

Similar Movies