Amazon.com: Set during the Chinese takeover of Hong Kong in 1997, this fascinating film uses that urgent and grandly ceremonial political backdrop for an intimate study of personal transition. Jeremy Irons plays a seasoned journalist who discovers he is terminally ill, causing him to be torn between his obsessive love for a former prostitute (Chinese film star Li Gong) and a streetwise hustler (Maggie Cheung) whom he has chosen as the subject of a video documentary. Through his involvement in the lives of these two very different women, director Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club) creates a cinematic "love-hate letter" to his native Hong Kong, where each character is allegorical and suffers an identity crisis much like Hong Kong itself. The film's love story is somewhat aimless and ultimately unimportant, but Chinese Box (even the title suggests a place that holds secrets within its borders) remains a fascinating film in the semi-documentary tradition, capturing the psychology of its time and place with compelling immediacy. Musician/actor/politician Ruben Blades is featured in a memorable supporting role. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Inside a Dream
Wayne Wang's "The Chinese Box" was in the budget bin @ our local video store; so I took a chance. The slow-paced film produces some excellent delights. Jeremy Irons who won his Oscar for "Reversal of ... Read More
Rating: - A moving portrait of a relationship and a moment in history
From the DVD cover: "Jeremy Irons stars as John, a British journalist living in Hong Kong. John has fallen in love with Vivian (Gong Li), a bartender with a jaded past. Vivian is eager to secure her position ... Read More
Rating: - Good, but, ...................
to say the least this movie can REALLY confuse viewers if they try to understand characters motives. The Hong Kong backdrop IS interesting and adds a unique flavor to the film. Having Jeremy Irons as the lead ... Read More
Rating: - .........LIFE IN HONG KONG 1996/1997..............
I loved this DVD...thanks to Jeremy Irons, the gorgeous/beautiful Gong Li and Maggie Cheung...people have to be cognizant that living in Asia is alot different than in USA...I can't get enough of both Chinese ... Read More
Rating: - A waste of Li and Irons:Wang...what's Up?
THIS WAS AWFUL!!Usually I can find something positive to say about a film, but not with CHINESE BOX!
If you choose to waste 99 minutes with a film that is absolutely ridiculous be my guest.How could ... Read More
- Inside a Dream
- A moving portrait of a relationship and a moment in history
- Good, but, ...................
- A waste of Li and Irons:Wang...what's Up?