When her parents die Songlian (Gong), a young student, has to give up her studies and has little choice but to become a concubine to ensure her financial security. Yimou Zhang�s sumptuous period piece is rich in detail but sparse in humour or lightness and is nothing short of a tragedy, as the educated Songlian struggles to come to terms with her new role as concubine.
Initially she refuses to become embroiled in the schemes and politicking of the other mistresses who compete daily for the affections of their master. He is a rich old man who comes from a family steeped in tradition and has no real idea what his wives get up to during his absences, assuming that they will be happy as long as they are given presents and a nice room; they may as well be his pets. These family customs include raising red lanterns in the rooms of the mistress that he will be spending the evening with and it is this privilege which the women constantly vie for.
However Songlian eventually gets drawn into the manoeuvring and tries to win attention by pretending to be pregnant. Unfortunately it is not just the other mistresses who are capable of undoing her plans as her own maid plots against her. Eventually Songlian is forced to realise that it is a dangerous game she is playing and is shocked to see how far the other mistresses will go to win favours.
The grounds that the family live in are gorgeous and Zhang uses countless shots staring from a distance down the long, symmetrical and empty corridors or shows whole rooms with the camera set back to make the inhabitants seem isolated and dwarfed by the history of the house and its traditions. Gong plays the detached, disconsolate Songlian perfectly, but her moodiness and occasional spitefulness sometimes undo the sympathy inherent in her situation � I often felt more for her servant Yan�er who aspired to something she could never be.
Like the costumes and sets every shot seems considered, but at times events seem to drag and there is perhaps one too many lingering shots of Songlian in turmoil or trying not to cry. Nevertheless at times it is a moving story, especially towards the end, which is a powerful and abrupt finish and makes sticking out the boring bits worthwhile. |
