Friday, February 24, 2006
OLD STORY
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film
shows us an old truth.
Contrary to the notion that things will always get better, this Chinese movie suggests that nothing is so bad that you cannot make it worse by screwing around with it.
Or by screwing around with each other, as happens to be the case here.
A nasty old man, a dyer, wears out two wives and buys a third. Her name; Ju Dou.
He beats on her as well. He is frustrated with his own impotence. No boys, no continuation of the line.
The dyer has an employee; a nephew that he has taken in as a son. Not a real son.
She and the dyer's 'son' fall in love and make out together.
She gets pregnant. She has a boy. The dyer has a son. The 'son' has a son.
All seems well.
Wrong.
Fate intervenes. Or Karma?
The tale is intricately woven and fascinates as the camera takes in gorgeous colors and scenery.
The whole production is entirely absorbing and, despite its tragic end, I felt fulfilled and completely rewarded for my interest and time in watching.
How many times can you say that about a movie?
This was a Foreign Film nominee. It is very good.
I will give it a 5 out of Netflix5.
