I'm not a fan of Chen Kaige. Most of his films are either too melodramatic or big on concept but fail to deliver on the human level. He knows his craft, is hugely ambitious, but there is something missing in his soul.
It would help the viewers to know something about the historic background of this film. Google Chu-Han Contention, Xiang Yu (the king/hegemon), Battle of Gaixia. May help to know a bit about the more recent events in modern Chinese history such as the Cultural Revolution too, but that's not at the heart of the story.
The best developed character is of course Dieyi. Based on the traditional Chinese role of the tragic heroine, with the additional complexity of gender confusion. not very appealing, despite hitting all right notes of the traditional femininity, unless you got yellow fever. Xiaolou, the king who is not really a king, like Xiang Yu, strong but unable to control his fate. the easiest character to relate to. Juxian is not well developed, the king's horse? Yuang is potentially interesting character, well acted, but again not developed enough.
It is Chen Kaige's best movie I've watched. Worth watching, but ultimately not as satisfying as the more straight-forward and honest movie by other fifth generation Chinese directors. I would watch Hong gao liang over this any day.
It would help the viewers to know something about the historic background of this film. Google Chu-Han Contention, Xiang Yu (the king/hegemon), Battle of Gaixia. May help to know a bit about the more recent events in modern Chinese history such as the Cultural Revolution too, but that's not at the heart of the story.
The best developed character is of course Dieyi. Based on the traditional Chinese role of the tragic heroine, with the additional complexity of gender confusion. not very appealing, despite hitting all right notes of the traditional femininity, unless you got yellow fever. Xiaolou, the king who is not really a king, like Xiang Yu, strong but unable to control his fate. the easiest character to relate to. Juxian is not well developed, the king's horse? Yuang is potentially interesting character, well acted, but again not developed enough.
It is Chen Kaige's best movie I've watched. Worth watching, but ultimately not as satisfying as the more straight-forward and honest movie by other fifth generation Chinese directors. I would watch Hong gao liang over this any day.