Great story--but Hollywood cheese kills it
Daniel Mackler | www.iraresoul.com | 01/16/2010
(2 out of 5 stars)
"The story upon which this movie is based is fantastic---a tale of bravery and courage. However, this movie---a semi-fictionalized version of the real events---had some fatal flaws which undermined the power inherent in the tale.
But first, its positives:
1) Brilliant depictions of the horror of the Japanese occupation of China
2) Especially good (that is, disturbing) depiction of the Rape of Nanjing
3) Good use of Mandarin and Japanese interspersed with English. So many movies do not mix languages well---this one pulled it off.
4) EXCELLENT ending, or post-ending: using actual footage of the now-grown men whom Hogg helped rescue. It was actually the most powerful part of the movie.
5) Chow Yun Fat is an excellent actor, and does not fail here.
And its deadly flaws:
1) The two main characters (Hogg and the nurse) were too pretty and had weak acting ability. That combination made the movie seem FAKE and shallow. Had they gotten average, normal-looking actors OF QUALITY the movie might have worked.
2) The shallow acting made the characters' motives and relationships with others seem cheesy. Hollywood strikes again! (Strikes out, that is.)
3) The romance was unnecessary and insincere.
So, overall: I felt like I was watching Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie rescue more non-white orphans. What's sad is that the real George Hogg, from what I gather (via the internet and from the profoundly sincere words of the actual people he nurtured), was no Brad Pitt. He was the real deal.
"