euanthes
The filming is pleasant and the environment is keenly realistic. I liked that it boldly redresses conceptions of the many difficult moral and social morays of the 1930's Chinese-mainland countryside as well as more basic human questions - I felt I could get a real sense of the times, recreated even in splendid shots of traditional Chinese theatre and in purist depictions of street living. It seemed worthwhile to experience. The interwoven role which Buddhism plays is probably the most true-to-form - both in its menial and in its philosophic aspect, perhaps the most effective that I've seen in Chinese film. Casting is great. Images are memorable. Acting is solid enough. Thematically puerile but still rich enough to compliment the vehicle of its expression.
Wulfstan10
This is a beautiful, rich, and very well-executed film with a rich and meaningful story. Basically, it tells how an old master story teller needs to find a (male) heir to carry on his craft, but ends up not getting what he expected in his very male-dominated world. The characters must then deal with their situation and the old master must grapple with the conflict between his desire for a companion and heir and his and society's traditional notions.The story is fun, emotional, and complex. The exploration of the characters, their lives, and emotions, is rich and compelling the character development is strong while the characters are complex and not one dimensional at all. The film expertly conveys the old man's emotions and his desire to find an heir, and compellingly shows how he and the kid handle the situation. There is also humour, sometimes quite subtle, at appropriate points. The film also examines the good and bad of traditional Chinese culture, creating further interest and depth to the film.The directing, acting, and scenery are all outstanding. Added to the other strengths, this creates rich and convincing visual images and compelling, real characters. As a result, the film evokes strong empathy for, and feelings about, the characters.Some have claimed that the ending weakens the film, but I do not necessarily agree. Perhaps it could have been stronger with a different ending, but any improvement in the overall film would have been rather small.
lister_girl2004
We watched this in my Women's Health Issues class to point out how women are treated inferior to men in many societies, and I absolutely loved this movie. I plan on trying to get a copy of it myself to watch. The story is very touching and I would recommend it to anyone. I am a fan of different cultures and this movie was just what I needed. This is a movie for the whole family despite its rating. This is a movie I will show to my children. The professor of our class meant for the movie to primarily be a too to educate about women, but this movie was more than that. It is one of those movies that will forever stick out in my mind and will be a favorite.
wildstrawbe
There's something really beautiful about every chinese movie I have seen and "The King of Masks" couldn't possibly be the exception to that rule.
The story starts with an old man, a street actor whose art is to change masks really quick making it look like magic. According to a family tradition the father passes the secrets of his art to a male member of his family but never to a stranger or to a woman. The old man though does not have any children and is afraid that he will be the one who will break the family tradition and take the secrets of his art with him to the grave. He therefore decides to adopt a young boy. The little boy he buys turns out to be a girl. The old man doesn't want to keep her anymore since he can't teach her his art but after she begs him to keep him, he decides to let her stay at his boat and perform with him.
The King of Masks, is so beautiful it's almost like a fairy tale. I don't think it's wrong to say that the movie has a feminist message because it centers on how the little girl tries to convince the old man that the fact that she is a woman doesn't make her any less worthy than a boy to learn the secrets of his art.The performances by both the little girl and the old man are brilliant but it's the little monkey called "The General" who steals the show.
A great movie that will bring tears to your eyes.
AD
