MovieChat Forums > Wo de fu qin mu qin (2001) Discussion > Why do so many people like this film?

Why do so many people like this film?

posted 17 years ago by trpnallday
28 replies | jump to latest

I would honestly like to know why so many people love this film. I would not say it was horrible and I did like some scenes. I also felt that Zhang Ziyi did a good job (although not as great a job as she did in 2046). I was, however, terribly put off by the awkardness of the filming/editing and the lack of explanation as well as the complete absence of an ending. Given these major flaws I would give it a 5 out of 10 but it won a lot of presigious awards so I wonder what people saw in it that allowed them to look past such glaring flaws??

[–] ibbi 12 years ago

I don't know what awkwardness it is that you are referring to, what explanation you required, and there certainly is no absence of an ending, but I like the movie because it's short, simple, sweet. Without extravagant fanfare it makes its points incredibly powerfully, and leaves no loose ends.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIMBC7PA_uo

[–] Eric_Ruan 12 years ago

I do agree. And to be honest, I found it emotionally shallow. Why did the girl immediately fall in love with the guy when she had not even talked to him yet? She only knew that he was a teacher coming from the city, and she already loved him? Is it some kind of pro-intellectualism or what? I found it completely absurd. Love is not that simple! Everything about this movie feels so staged. Had Zhang Zhimou tried to convey his message in less of a preaching manner, I would have liked it.

[–] heyuactor 12 years ago

Never heard of love at first sight, Hung? Or rather, do you not believe in it?
It happened to me except after a few wonderful months the relationship broke down and she headed back into her own past world--more comfortable for her.

"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

[–] Eric_Ruan 12 years ago

Sorry, I just changed my username.
I do believe in love at first sight. But after that "first sight" moments, when you get to know the person better, your feelings will change. My point here is that: surface appearances can be deceiving. I may fall for a person upon a first sight, but I will never forget to remind myself that I do not know enough of him to know whether he is for me. The same cannot be said here for the village girl in the movie, who unabashedly and innocently marches for the town guy (and haven't even talked to him for a second yet).
Also, for a movie to happily project such an idealistic kind of love is quite intolerable and unreal to me. Especially when you consider the emotionally complex Hero or the resolutely rebellious Raise The Red Lantern. I do not feel that these two individuals are real-flesh humans in front of my eyes, but rather two simplistic ideas about a beautiful old China that Mr. Zhang wants to project.

[–] heyuactor 11 years ago

It took me a long time to get back to you, but yes for sure "surface appearances can be deceiving". But not always and that's what happens here. I'm sorry this type of love depicted is "unreal" to you, but it's a worthy question to pose.
As I wrote it happened to me on first sight, before I even spoke with her, and the relationship was wonderful for a few months. When she drifted away I was broken-hearted. But to me it might have gone on, since it did go on in my heart for quite some time until I accepted the reality that she wasn't in love anymore.
So it's not impossible for me to believe.

"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

[–] chinesebean 10 years ago

Thank God for you, Eric. I thought I was the only person on Earth who hated this movie. It is trite, conceived, and shallow. And fake. Love takes more than staring at each other.

I feel sometimes like the Invasion of the Body Snatchers with people keep trying to convince me that this is a good movie. We're holding out against the pod people, Eric. You and me. Just don't pull a Donald Sutherland on me...

[–] jnagarya-1 9 years ago

If you hate it so much, then go away.

[–] jnagarya-1 9 years ago

It is critical of the "old China".

[–] Pogo_76 11 years ago

I 100% agree with your 6 year old post.

I would give it a 6/10 rating. It was a good film but it was rather a small movie. I didn't think it was spectacular.

[–] jnagarya-1 9 years ago

Yes. It's a "small movie". What it needed was car chases, shoot-outs, and bombs.