The idea was there.  A film about the change over of Hong Kong from British to PRC rule.  The casting was there too.  Jeremy Irons, Gong-Li,  and Maggie Cheung.  This was a film I looked forward to, understood very  well, but was ultimately disappointed.
The symbolism is great.  The dying  Jeromy Irons represents British rule.  The scarred but always optimistic  Maggie Cheung is the people of Hong Kong.  Again, this was a clever idea  and props to that, but the film often just wanders and drags.
Also  disappointing was Gong-li.  Gong-li is one of the most gifted actresses in  China.  She is fantastic.  However, her poor English really hurts her  performance.  She has given many powerful performances in her native  language and it was painful to watch her struggle in a English film.  Gong-li is great and should not rush to make anymore American films.
So  again the films concept is great but the finished product is a noble  failure.
The idea was there. A film about the change over of Hong Kong from British to PRC rule. The casting was there too. Jeremy Irons, Gong-Li,  and Maggie Cheung. This was a film I looked forward to, understood very  well, but was ultimately disappointed. The symbolism is great. The dying  Jeromy Irons represents British rule. The scarred but always optimistic  Maggie Cheung is the people of Hong Kong. Again, this was a clever idea  and props to that, but the film often just wanders and drags. Also  disappointing was Gong-li. Gong-li is one of the most gifted actresses in  China. She is fantastic. However, her poor English really hurts her  performance. She has given many powerful performances in her native  language and it was painful to watch her struggle in a English film. Gong-li is great and should not rush to make anymore American films. So  again the films concept is great but the finished product is a noble  failure.