Shanghai Triad

If you are looking for a movie with great dialogue, great acting with outstanding cinematography and look, than "Shanghai Triad" is for you. “Shanghai Triad” reveals 7 days in the life surrounding Jinbao, Shuiseng and Boss. A week that reveals betrayal as well as loyalty, truth as well as lies and ones vibrant life; which turns to a pale death. "Shanghai Triad" was released in 1995 to stellar reviews and international acclaim, including awards at the Cannes Film Festival and a Cinematography nomination at the Academy Awards. The film was directed by Zhang Yimou; who also directed "Raise the Red Lantern". The film stars Gong Li as Miss Jinbao, an uptight city girl with a bad reputation and an attitude to match. Wang Xiaoxiao as Tang Shuisheng, Jinbao's new servant and Li Xuejian as Uncle Liu. All of which delivered strong performances in this gripping crime drama. Shuisheng Tang is a 13 years old boy that was hand-picked by his uncle, Lui, to come to the city of Shanghai to serve Miss the wife of the highest boss in the city. To the Tang family it is more of an honor to serve in the city as a servant than to live in countryside as peasants. Uncle Lui feels that serving in the city as a servant makes the Tang family relevant and honors the family’s ancestors. When Shuisheng is met off the boat, Uncle Lui immediately greets him and shows him the ropes on what a servant does when in the presence of royalty but more importantly what not to do. Immediately, Jinbao (Miss) waste no time enforcing her will on Shuisheng. She immediately made him feel uncomfortable and lower. One night Shuisheng over heard an argument that Miss was having upstairs while Boss was out of town. It became obvious at that moment Miss was doing things that Shuisheng knew could get ugly if got out, she was having an affair with Boss’s right hand man. The next day Boss’s enemy attacks, killing Uncle Lui. Boss credits Uncle Lui for his loyalty to him throughout the years. Immediately, Boss and his entourage goes out in hiding to a countryside where Miss and Shuisheng begin to develop a better understanding of one another. As Miss is enjoying the country life and becoming more civilized, Boss has plans of his own. It’s all a set up to weed out Miss and his right hand man Song for they’re mischievous acts against Boss. Ironically, Shuishang breaks in on a card game to tell everyone that he overheard some men saying they wanted to kill Jinbao (Miss). This is when everyone is made aware that it is all-a part of the game Boss has constructed. Miss and Song are eventually killed for the acts of betrayal.

This film was a pleasure to look at. Not often do you see a film that has a deep warm golden tone in one scene and in the immediate next scene it’s portrays night with a deep cool blue tone. The contrast in the two scenes could past for two totally different movies. I appreciated great cinematography and deep writing. This film had my attention from the beginning and I would definitely recommend it to fellow avid filmgoers.