First off this movie LOOKS great. The cinematography, the period costumes, the landscapes and the sets were masterfully done in exacting details giving the movie a genuine feel of the period (Late Imperial China during the Boxer Rebellion). It is an historical drama as well as a tragic love story telling of a pivotal time in a family. The gravity of the film never lets up and the drama is, at some points, a bit over the top but the subject matter, the crumbling of a banking family by external and internal problems, is a heavy one. This movie comes with some very harsh scenes and will not be for everyone but those who enjoy well shot, well acted (if not a bit over the top on the drama),and well set period pieces with a touch of history will like the movie. I did.

Beautiful to look at epic from China that is sort of the cinematic equivalent to a trashy summer read by way of a Russian novel.

Told in flashback the film concerns a wealthy banking family many centuries old. There are four brothers. One is a kind deaf mute, One is a cruel master, the third is artistic and hated by the father and the forth is to get the banks...through circumstances best left to the soap opera the hated third son is forced to choose between the life he wants and taking over the family business. Oh yea, I believe his step mom his an ex-girlfriend and its all coming to boil about the time of the boxer rebellion.

If you think I completely understood what happened you're mad. There are lots of plot lines, many of which seem to appear and disappear randomly. And with many plot lines comes many characters and somewhere along the way I got really lost.

Okay, yes I shouldn't have watched this knowing I was going to be up past 2 AM - but I was curious--and yes I probably should have stopped when I realized I was at sea- but I didn't and I pressed on...

My feeling is its a great looking mess of a movie that should have been longer or remained a novel. The ending left me going- thats it? Apparently.

Then again I was never much for soap operas on a grand scale so I was probably the wrong audience for this.

I'd take a pass unless you really love soap operas or want to see a film that visually is a complete and total work of art..

My nephew votes this movie to be an 8 out of 10. For point of reference, he is 14 years old, and is going to be in 9th grade after Summer.

So, I asked what he liked about the movie: He liked the storyline and the ending. The main characters were really good actors. It was just a good movie overall. He warns, "JUST DON'T WATCH THE TRAILER. It made the movie look bad."

Now, me, his uncle, this is what I think: If you're an empathetic person, and can "live vicariously" through the characters and understand their situation, you will be moved by many scenes in the movie. I, myself, was forming some tears in a few scenes.

It is a family drama, and is realistic. Being Asian, I can empathize with the cultural dynamics.

Some fun facts direct from the director. :) (If my notes and hearing are correct):

The movie was shot in 4 and 1/2 months. (Wow, that's fast! BUT, the movie is very professionally made, done with love and attention. The scenes are beautiful visually. The locations, wow!)

From preproduction work, to shooting, to editing and post, was a total of 6 years. (That's a LOT of work.)

It was filmed in China in 13 cities, 13 provinces, and on 46 sets.

The film has been to 14 festivals, and has won 19 awards.

200 tons of red earth had to be carried manually by people, up the hill/mountainside to disguise an asphalt road for a scene.

********* SPOILER: Don't quote me on this, but the street scene where one lady (wife?) was kidnapped, had 600(? maybe it wasn't the scene, but total in costume department? Sorry, I can't remember.) costumes in it! Talk about a major wardrobe/costuming department. SPOILER end **********

Christina Yao, the director, is such a nice lady. :D Thank you for sharing your time, stories, and answering all our questions. It was a terrific, interesting, and informative experience for my nephew and me. Your 3 hours with our small group of 12 was over and above expectations. Thank you!

Take care, Huy