Farewell My Concubine (DVD) (US Version) DVD Region 1

Leslie Cheung (Actor) | Gong Li (Actor) | Zhang Feng Yi (Actor) | Chen Kaige (Director)

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Customer Review of "Farewell My Concubine (DVD) (US Version)"

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Average Customer Rating for this Edition: Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10 (1)
Average Customer Rating for All Editions of this Product: Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10 (15)

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Feekiecats
See all my reviews

October 8, 2007

1 people found the following helpful

Leslie's Finest Performance! Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10

Before seeing Leslie Cheung in Farewell My Concubine, I had seen him in approximately a dozen other movies, playing everything from macho police cadet to romantic hero to gigolo. He was equally impressive in each of these roles. But when I saw him portray Douzi in Farewell My Concubine, I saw the true extent of his brilliance. I can't imagine that anyone else could have portrayed this role so convincingly. Other reviewers have explained the story far better than I can, so I will not bore you with those details.

However, for me, the major theme of this movie is betrayal. Douzi (Cheung) is the soft, effeminate, sensitive one who plays the part of the Concubine to his longtime friend, (Zhang Fengi's) Shitou's macho role of the King in the opera which defines their lives from the age of 16 until their 40's. The title of the movie takes its name from the opera for which they are famous, "Farewell My Concubine." Although it is Shitou who is portrayed as the strong masculine partner, it is Douzi who shows the greatest courage and self-sacrifice in the face of danger and loss throughout all the years he and Shitou are together as friends and acting partners. It is obvious that Douzi has a deep love for Shitou both as a friend and as a soulmate. However, Shitou is attracted only to women and sees Dousi as a friend and acting partner only. Yet, he is not above exploiting Douzi's love for him for his own benefit. Although Shitou does have a feeling of friendship to Douzi and cares about him in his own way, Shitou is often callous and insensitive to Douzi. He is betrayed on numerous occasions by both Shitou and the woman Shitou marries. However, it is Shitou's ultimately selfish and cruel betrayal of Douzi after the Japanese occupation of China that you see the depth of Shitou's cowardice. Seemingly, without hesitation, he abandons Dousi by telling lies and saying and doing whatever he thinks is necessary to save himself from the Japanese officers' wrath. With great loyalty and love, Dousi remains silent and courageously faces the ensuing consequences rather than risk harm to his beloved Shitou.

Since the movie takes place over a period of approximately 40 years, there are a lot of political changes which take place in China during this time frame. However, even if you are not familiar with China's history, it is explained well enough that you will not be confused. The movie is visually stunning and the acting superb. Still, it is Leslie Cheung's portrayal of Douzi, the "concubine," which makes this movie worth seeing and owning. I was surprised that the movie's length is approximately 3 hours long, because it moves along so swiftly yet effortlessly. Leslie Cheung's performance is heart-breaking and made even more so given his later real-life suicide. I can't help but feel that, at least part of the time, we are seeing the "real" Leslie Cheung onscreen and not just the part he is playing. The movie is beautiful and moving and artistic. It is a masterpiece.