Shanghai Triad

Starring:Li Gong, Baotian Li, Wang Xiaoxiao, Xuejian Li, Chun Sun, Biao Fu, Shu Chen, Liu Jiang, Baoying Jiang, Yang Qianquan, Ying Gao, Weiming Gao, Lian Shuliang, Wang Ya'nan, Zhang Yayun, Guo Hao, Jiasheng Zhen, Ni Zengshao, An Xing, Jia Shijun
Director: Yimou Zhang
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Not even close to his best work, Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou--far from a favorite of Chinese authorities, and frequently harassed and stymied in his career--creates an impressive-looking period piece in this gangland story set in the 1930s. Gong Li (Raise the Red Lantern) gives a colorful performance as a nightclub diva who is the mistress of a mob boss. Told from the point of view of a boy (Wang Xiaoxiao) sent by the gangster to wait on the arrogant singer, the story follows these characters over several days as they flee Shanghai to hide out in the countryside. A supreme stylist, Zhang in his best work (Ju Dou, The Story of Qui Ju) is not dependent on conventional story structures or expensive sets. But Shanghai Triad leans heavily on both, and while it is an interesting and enjoyable film--and not without subtle allusions to the political climate and culture in modern China--it is finally an unsatisfying experience. The saving graces are the performances, most of all that of the masterful, chameleonlike Gong Li. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

An excellent film with a couple of weak spots........2005-09-07

This film is not in any way a typical gangster film in the American sense; it is a subtle, intricate drama of human relationships that develop around a highly nefarious criminal syndicate. Gong Li, as always, is fabulous. The story is believable, effective, and has some wonderful twists.

My only hesitation is that I found the central character of the young boy, and the framing of the film through "his eyes" as forced to the point of being grating. He is an unengaging, unendearing child. It seems like a ploy to elicit audience sympathy and engagement, and is wholly unnecessary. The wasted energy on this element of the story should have been focused elsewhere.

Still, a fascinating film that leaves an impression.

Good setting and atmosphere of 1930s Shanghai violence.......2005-03-27

This 1995 Chinese film is set in the flamboyant gangster era of the 1930s in Shanghai. We see it through the eyes of a 14 year old boy who is a distant relative of the gang leader and comes from the country to work as a servant to the gangster's mistress played by the beautiful Gong Li. She's arrogant, harsh and demanding and it's easy to dislike her.

There's a gang war going on and suddenly the boss, his mistress and the boy have to go into hiding on a small island where they can't be found. The only inhabitants are a widow and her young 9-year old daughter who is endearing to everyone. But there is no escaping the violence around them. Soon, everyone is caught up in it. The inevitable ending is sad and disturbing.

Acting is universally good, especially the roles played by the boy, Wang Xiaoxiao. He's wide eyed with wonder and very believable. The director is Yimou Zhang. I've seen several of his films and they are all good, but this somehow misses the mark. It was well done well but I was uneasy throughout and found it dragged a bit. Shanghai Triad is successful inasmuch as it depicted a time and place and atmosphere. I recommend it for its style and introduction to Chinese film. However, I save my higher recommendations for some his other films such as Raise the Red Lantern, House of Flying Daggers and Hero.

Decadent, Cool and Highly Enjoyable.......2004-09-23

This is a movie I think people either like a lot or dislike a lot. I've seen it twice in movie houses and now three times on DVD. It's a cool film, decadent to the core and with only one really likeable character, a 14 year old boy. I'm one of those who like it a lot.

The boy is brought to Shanghai (in the 1930s) by his gangster uncle to work in the "family" of a powerful, aging drug boss. The drug lord's mistress, a nightclub singer, is played by Gong Li. The boy is assigned to fetch and carry for her. Gong Li plays her as a willful, beautiful, selfish and perhaps overly confident courtesan. Gong Li sings and dances several times as the star of the nightclub, and she is wonderful in the part.

Nearly everything is seen from the perspective of the boy -- which means you don't get the full picture at any one time. There's a brutal gang attack and the boss with his key henchmen, his mistress and the boy flee to an isolated fog-bound island to regroup and plot. There's betrayal and merciless, calculated revenge, and practical killing. The ending, needless to say, is not pleasant...except, perhaps, for the boss. The boy, at least, survives.

The film is gorgeous to look at and beautifully lit and photographed. The DVD transfer is excellent.

Excellent.......2004-07-30

I've watched this movie twice and I still want to watch it again. I think this movie is awesome and Gong Li acted her character very well in this movie.

I LIKE THIS MOVIE.......2004-03-07

OH THE MOVIE IS VERY GOOD,YOU NEVER SEEN,IT IS BETTER THEN HAPPY TOGETHER.YOU HAVE TO SEE.

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