"Caught between two worlds, a child will decide the fate of a nation." This is the subtitle of today's recommendation Sacrifice a.k.a. Zhao si gu er (趙氏孤兒, Zhao's orphan). And while I think the title is bit too much (the fate of the nation is hardly mentioned during the entire 2 hours), it does describe the story well. One general decides to wipe out his enemy the Zhao family. One baby is saved and raised to revenge the deaths of his family. But on who's side will he be when he's old enough to take revenge?
| During the first half hour you'll be introduced to the plot in a pace so high it is difficult to keep track what exactly is happening. With a lot of action and dialogues you'll learn about dr. Cheng Ying who's about to deliver his own and general Zhao's baby. You'll learn about general Tuan Gu's complicate conspiracy, assassinations and power struggle. And the intro ends with Cheng's sacrifice that made me sit on the edge of my seat. It all puts you right in the story and focused on nothing else but your TV. The pace than quickly slows down and takes the time to focus on how Zhao's baby grows up and how his 'father' tries to raise him with so much vengeance. And while you do feel a little bit more connected to him, director Chen Kaige fails to get you emotionally attached. Sacrifice is based on the play 'Orphan of Zhao' which was a feudal propaganda that exalts loyalty to the aristocracy. And while it might make Chinese people emotionally attached (many of them experienced the Goverment's one-child policy), to me and probably most Westerners, it failed to convince me. |
It is a very interesting story though, and the action is really good. It comes to a nice ending that makes you feel relieved and sorrow at the same time. It also leaves you with many questions (for example what will happen to the nation) which you can like or not. I find that open endings make you questioning a lot of things after the movie ends, so that it keeps you in the mood of the film a little longer. I say, get more than your money's worth ;)
Oh and here's a link so you can watch it. Enjoy!
Or watch the trailer first if you're still doubting
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