Seeing a young Sessue Hayakawa (well, actually 33 years old) is the highlight of this film, as he really inhabits the character of this youthful and uncouth artist, and has striking good looks besides. He's paired with his real-life wife (Tsuru Aoki), the film was produced by the company he co-founded with director William Worthington, and a part of his aim was to break down racial stereotypes, so there is something personal and intimate about seeing it over a century later. The film touches on the interesting idea that an artist must be longing for something in order to feel inspiration, and if his desires are fulfilled it may kill the creative process, but it was a little simple and drawn out, even in the 53 minute run time. You can read what happens as a ruse or as a magical bit of mythology, but I favor the latter interpretation, as that bookends the "enchanted princess whom the spirits took from him" from the beginning rather nicely. As a little extra bonus, you may recognize Yosemite Valley substituting for a mountainous region of Japan, and the film has some pretty good cinematography in it as well. Overall the film isn't outstanding but it has a certain loveliness to it, and it's worth checking out.
Review of The Dragon Painter
