Cast
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Chow Yun-Fat
as Emperor Ping
Gong Li
as Empress Phoenix
Jay Chou
as Prince Zhai
Liu Ye
as Crown Prince Wan
Qin Junjie
as Prince Yu
Li Man
as Jiang Chan
Ni Dahong
as Imperial Physician Jiang
Chen Jin
as Imperial Physician's Wife
Siran Ge
as Maid
Guo Jiulong
as Host of the Festival
Ma Tianyu
as Medicine Boy
Feng Bai
as Soldier
Ming Li
as Senior Eunuch
Crew
Director
- Zhang Yimou
Writer
- Nan Wu
Producer
- Bill Kong Chi-Keung
- Zhang Weiping
- Ronald Wong
Reviews
r96sk
Now that's awesome!
Where to start with <em>'Curse of the Golden Flower'</em>? Firstly, I need to show some appreciation for the score - incredible! From the very first scene I knew I was in for a treat in that department, it sets the tone perfectly throughout.
This also features outstanding performances from Gong Li (!), Chow Yun-fat, Chen Jin and Jay Chou, among some others. I was particularly impressed by Gong, she truly is terrific from beginning to end - as what is a memorable character. I know I say this a lot with actors, but I'm gonna need to try and check out more of her filmography!
Chow is the only actor in this that I'm familiar with, but this clearly tops what I've seen (not enough, granted) of him thus far - still a fan of him as Sao Feng in <em>'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End'</em>, though. The rest of those onscreen, despite the commanding presence of the aforementioned, still manage to standout in my memory as well, from earlier noted Chen and Chou to Li Man to Liu Ye.
The costumes, the sets... I personally do not think this film really put a foot wrong in terms of how it's made. How about those battle sequences too? Visually stunning, but also audibly so. The ending didn't go the way I was expecting, which is very much a positive thing.
Admittedly, this film hit an unwritten cheat code for me. As in: Give me strong performances and a great score and I am hook, line, and sinker. This Zhang Yimou flick gave me that in abundance. Overall, in my opinion: top notch!
Jun 23, 2023
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Curse of the Golden Flower examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Zhang Yimou 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 character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2006, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Curse of the Golden Flower took approximately 16 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $45.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 114 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 149 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2113 individual shots.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 3 weeks before filming began.
- The screenplay went through 9 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2006, when this film is released:
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Curse of the Golden Flower shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Cover Up, which focuses more on action than character development, Curse of the Golden Flower subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Breathless explore similar territory, Curse of the Golden Flower stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
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: December 14, 2006
- Runtime: 1h 54m
- Budget: $45,000,000
- Revenue: $78,568,977
