Director Cheng Er has corralled the large swathes of genius he exhibited in Lethal Hostage and The Wasted Times and painted a stunning movie that may be his masterpiece. His script and meticulous editing combine to present a gorgeous puzzle that is never too difficult to solve and unwinds in a clever way that leaves the audience feeling rewarded and satisfied. A mysterious set up leads to a nearly rapturous payoff, with nary a misstep along the way for movie viewers who pay attention.
Cheng Er couldn't have achieved such success without skilled players. Tony Leung and Zhou Xun give expected, empathetic performances. The movie feels solid and secure in their hands. But the heart of Hidden Blade actually rests on the shoulders of a young newcomer actor, Wang Yibo. Wang's performance is the definition of a brilliant debut. His character's ambiguous position--is he a villain or not?--is played subtley yet powerfully. It's not an exaggeration to state that the success of the story--and the movie as a whole--relies on Wang being able to carry such a complicated role. Fortunately he doesn't falter, leading the movie goer through a second half that leaves audiences breathless, stunned, and in awe.
Hidden Blade walks a fine line between fine art and commercial appeal. Though arguments can be made whether it leans one way or the other, the end result is a movie that leaves the viewer with the enviable feeling of having watched something wonderful and needing to know how much better it can be with repeat viewings. Regardless of final box office, Hidden Blade is a triumph for both Cheng Er and his talented cast.
Cheng Er couldn't have achieved such success without skilled players. Tony Leung and Zhou Xun give expected, empathetic performances. The movie feels solid and secure in their hands. But the heart of Hidden Blade actually rests on the shoulders of a young newcomer actor, Wang Yibo. Wang's performance is the definition of a brilliant debut. His character's ambiguous position--is he a villain or not?--is played subtley yet powerfully. It's not an exaggeration to state that the success of the story--and the movie as a whole--relies on Wang being able to carry such a complicated role. Fortunately he doesn't falter, leading the movie goer through a second half that leaves audiences breathless, stunned, and in awe.
Hidden Blade walks a fine line between fine art and commercial appeal. Though arguments can be made whether it leans one way or the other, the end result is a movie that leaves the viewer with the enviable feeling of having watched something wonderful and needing to know how much better it can be with repeat viewings. Regardless of final box office, Hidden Blade is a triumph for both Cheng Er and his talented cast.