Review of Jiang hu er nü

I really enjoyed the Directors "Still Life" (2006), but all his other movies I saw were a disappointment. I always learn a lot about Chinese society and how it evolved (for example, how western elements, from disco to ballroom dancing are blended in). But there needs to be a movie in there as well somewhere, and the (slow) story here did not transcend its obvious starting (and ending) points, and didn't even built up the characters well enough to make me care. There were some great scenes, the best of which was the strategy the lead character uses to get money at a family restaurant. It says a LOT about society in that very simple scene, but more of those moments of true brilliance were needed.