Snobs who decry mainstream Hollywood for prioritising style over substance will often shower with adoration films from the arthouse or world cinema scene that do precisely the same. House of Flying Daggers, a 2004 Chinese period martial arts epic directed by Zhang Yimou, is a film that perfectly exemplifies the phenomenon.
The plot is set in 859 AD. China is ruled by Tang Dynasty, a regime in decline, and displeasure among people has resulted and creation of secret societies that fight the government, like the House of Flying Daggers, with headquarters somewhere around Fengtian in the northeastern part of the country. Captain Leo (played by Andy Lau) and Captain Jin (played by Takeshi Kaneshiro) are two police officers tasked with eliminating the group’s mysterious leader. The trail leads to brothel where the main attraction is Mei (played by Zhang Ziyi), beautiful blind dancer, rumoured to be daughter of group’s former leader. Jin comes there posing as a customer and later arranges Mei to be arrested only to free herself from jail, in order to convince her that he is a rebel sympathiser. As they escape pursuit by Leo and his men, two of them gradually fall in love.
If there is one word to describe House of Flying Daggers, it is "beautiful". Zhang Yimou employs the talents of cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding and CGI effects to create visually stunning images, with a particular emphasis on colour, especially green. The producers went to great lengths to ensure the appropriate surroundings for each scene, shooting some of the footage in the forests of Western Ukraine. The result is a film that is a feast for the eyes, with each frame a work of art.
The music soundtrack, composed by Shigeru Umabayashi, is equally impressive, adding to the film's emotional depth and enhancing the overall experience. Yimou's direction is superb, particularly in the perfectly staged and choreographed action scenes, which are both breathtaking and exhilarating.
The acting, too, is superb, with the limited number of characters demanding exceptional performances from the cast. Zhang Ziyi, one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation and a former ballerina, delivers one of the most powerful performances of her career. Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro are equally impressive, bringing depth and nuance to their respective roles.
However, despite its visual splendour and delight for the senses, House of Flying Daggers begins to look rather shallow upon closer inspection. The plot is convoluted and confusing, with characters that are little more than cardboard cutouts. Moreover, the fight scenes, while visually stunning, are surprisingly unrealistic, lacking the epic scope and complexity of Yimou's previous film, Hero, which was a much more epic and complex affair with deeper roots in actual history.
Nevertheless, House of Flying Daggers still deserves a recommendation, if only for its stunning visuals and superb acting. However, those expecting a masterpiece akin to those that made Zhang Yimou famous may find themselves disappointed.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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