Shanghai Triad (1995)

 
The reported final pairing of director Zhang Yimou (TO LIVE, RAISE 
THE RED LANTERN) and actress Gong Li (same) is a s-l-o-w gangster 
tale, set in 1930's Shanghai, as told through the eyes of an under-
world boss's girlfriend's servant boy.  Got it?  More atmosphere 
than action, SHANGHAI TRIAD is one of the films nominated for an 
Academy Award for Best Achievement in Cinematography.  The superb 
camera work of Lu Yue is certainly worth a look, even if the bigger 
picture rarely commands our full attention.  Subtitled.  (Rated 
"R"/109 min.)

Grade: C+

Copyright 1996 by Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies in MOVIE HELL: February 25, 1996