"Plot" (may contain spoilers)
René Gallimard (Jeremy Irons),is a diplomat working for the French Embassy in Beijing 1964. When he goes to a performance of Puccini's Madame Butterfly performed by the outspoken and exotic singer Song Liling (John Lone), (who is actually a man masquerading as a woman) he is the witness of himself falling in love with "her". Gallimard pursues an affair with Liling, never recognizing that he is being duped. However, the deception goes even deeper, for Liling is working for the Communist government and using the relationship with Gallimard to procure important French intelligence.
"Review"
I will start my comment with the performance of both lead actors. It is my opinion that both Jeremy Irons, and John Lone have underrated for both their parts. Irons is doing his best and gives a performances worthy up to the one he gave in "Lolita" or "Dead Ringers" As for John Lone, I would say beside his role in "The Last Emperor" this is one of his outstanding performances. Both gentleman don't overdo it on the drama force, but also don't act flat when it comes to it.
Cronenberg did a good directing job, thinking about appearance, but also the content and acting, I figure he delivers a very good picture. Also being his first project outside Canada, he does well on foreign ground delivering us images that stroke the eye.
The only thing that makes this movie not perfect is the script Whang made. Not bad writing or dialogs, just the way things go through the whole story, the so called red wire doesn't really fit the spot. a little minus which gives the movie a 8/10
René Gallimard (Jeremy Irons),is a diplomat working for the French Embassy in Beijing 1964. When he goes to a performance of Puccini's Madame Butterfly performed by the outspoken and exotic singer Song Liling (John Lone), (who is actually a man masquerading as a woman) he is the witness of himself falling in love with "her". Gallimard pursues an affair with Liling, never recognizing that he is being duped. However, the deception goes even deeper, for Liling is working for the Communist government and using the relationship with Gallimard to procure important French intelligence.
"Review"
I will start my comment with the performance of both lead actors. It is my opinion that both Jeremy Irons, and John Lone have underrated for both their parts. Irons is doing his best and gives a performances worthy up to the one he gave in "Lolita" or "Dead Ringers" As for John Lone, I would say beside his role in "The Last Emperor" this is one of his outstanding performances. Both gentleman don't overdo it on the drama force, but also don't act flat when it comes to it.
Cronenberg did a good directing job, thinking about appearance, but also the content and acting, I figure he delivers a very good picture. Also being his first project outside Canada, he does well on foreign ground delivering us images that stroke the eye.
The only thing that makes this movie not perfect is the script Whang made. Not bad writing or dialogs, just the way things go through the whole story, the so called red wire doesn't really fit the spot. a little minus which gives the movie a 8/10