![]() ![]() But here there’s a special emphasis that really enhances the experience. That may sound obvious since most filmmakers consider it important. The visuals turn out to be a crucial part of Er’s storytelling. Through his camera he’s able to pull so much from his actors, often without them uttering a word. And while he shoots action exceptionally well, I also love the way Er shoots his characters. The framing, the blocking, the lighting – it all adds to the immersion and shows off a pretty clear noir influence. But the action we get is first-rate and comes at crucial points in the story.Īs for the overall look of the film, Er gives us one stunning shot after another. ![]() Just to be clear, “Hidden Blade” is far from an action-heavy movie. Chases, shoot-outs, and one especially exhilarating fight scene are handsomely staged and shot. Some are impeccably written and performed one-on-one conversations where characters seek to prove or disprove their suspicions. But Er does an excellent job keeping allegiances and motivations under wraps, revealing them at just the right time and with just the impact they need.Īs we begin to get a clearer picture of who’s who, we’re treated to some riveting confrontations. Knowing that this is a spy thriller, we venture into it with our antennas up, looking for clues as to where each person’s loyalty may lie. Yet all of the key players remain a puzzle. Both are stern and business-like agents who do everything from rounding up suspects, to overseeing (often brutal) interrogations, to executing prime targets. He (Leung), the director of the counter espionage unit working directly under a Japanese officer (a really good Hiroyuki Mori). These double-agents risked their lives secretly gathering vital intelligence that helped build a stronger and more unified resistance.Ī brilliantly understated Tony Leung plays Mr. But covertly working within the group’s ranks were members of the Chinese Communist Party’s underground. Image Courtesy of Well Go USA EntertainmentĪ strong cast fills out this engrossing story about a select group of Chinese counter espionage agents in Shanghai tasked by the puppet Wang Jingwei regime to root out, interrogate, and terminate fellow countrymen who are secretly working to undermine the Japanese occupation. There’s quite a bit of time-hopping and it can be disorienting, at least until you get a sense for what Er is doing. Er flashes back to 1937 during the bombings of Guangzhou, hops ahead to Decem– the day after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and spends most of his time in Shanghai in the days leading up to Japan’s surrender to the Allies on September 2, 1945. It’s an artistic stretch that can seem frustrating at first, but that ultimately comes together in some pretty clever ways. That may sound daunting, but Er’s gifts as a filmmaker and storyteller makes it worth the effort.Īdding to the challenge is Er’s choice to hop back and forth across his timeline. ![]() His film is built upon a dense and layered story that’s deeply rooted in history and laced with pinches of propaganda. To fully grasp writer, director, editor, and cinematographer Cheng Er’s new period espionage thriller “Hidden Blade” requires at least a working knowledge of the complicated politics of China during World War II (certainly more than I have). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |