Actuakers One of my all time favorites.

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

robydiroby Una immensa storia d'amore. L ho guardato in lingua originale.

krocheav It's always pleasing when a modern movie comes along and reminds us there are still movie makers who understand the basic, intrinsic feelings that motivate our everyday existence. Writers, directors, and producers who are willing to chance making a little less money for the sake of humanity. If you want Mad Max or Superman you won't find them here - so be ready to look into the depths of real souls, maybe even your own! For a story written by a former officer in the army of the PLR during the Cultural Revolution of Chairman Mao – Shanghai born novelist Geling Yan, certainly seems to suggest she has serious misgivings - about what was done to innocent victims in those dark days of political upheaval. While the screenplay by Zou Jingzhi for "Coming Home" is based on Yan's novel "The Criminal Lu Yanshi" it doesn't give us much insight into what crimes Lu committed – instead, it scores its points detailing the tragic aftermath that all too often follow the grief of separation - this time as direct result of political incarceration. In his role of the persecuted Professor Lu, Daoming Chen is terrific, while Li Gong is his equal as his long suffering wife Feng. The movie begins when their daughter, Dandan, played by the exquisite Huien Zhang is in her teens - she was three when Lu was first taken for punishment by the Communist police - so initially, has little understanding of his motivations or forgiveness for his 'betrayal' of the party.Cinematography by Zhao Xiaoding (The Great Wall '16) perfectly captures the living conditions and constraints placed on the people following the over-throw of the revolution. And director Zhang Yimou proves he still has the soul he displayed so superbly with "The Road Home" in 1999. His opening shot through the undercarriage of a passing train is promise of an intense personal journey. The use of rain adds to the feeling of being out-in-the-cold, hunted. Composer Qigang Chen, himself a victim of the Cultural Revolution, adds a rich music score, with piano solo's by Lang Lang, accompanied by a wonderful song without words. If you want action and monsters look towards Yimou's "The Great Wall" as you may feel disillusioned by "Coming Home" – otherwise, a high recommendation to discerning audiences.In some ways this could be looked upon as being the "Hachi" '09 for humans.In fact, this gem deserves a better presentation platform than via the trashy world movies channel - where it will fight for the odd play sessions with WM's usual ultra-low-life porn offerings. Should be transferred to Fox Masterpiece where it might possibly be better rewarded.

MartinHafer This is a very interesting idea for a film and actually criticizes, indirectly, recent Chinese history. Both made me excited to see the film...yet, sadly, I found the film incredibly flat....well acted but flat and lifeless.The film begins during the so-called 'Cultural Revolution' in mainland China. It was a period in Communist Chinese history when Mao set off a period where supposed remnants of decadence and capitalism were purged. What actually happened is that intellectuals, professors and others were violently beaten, killed or imprisoned by student groups. Nothing much came of this movement (my opinion, of course, but one supported by most historians) and it mostly just made a lot of folks miserable. During this time, Lu is arrested for his decadence though exactly what he supposedly did is never mentioned in the film. Instead, he simply disappears and he finally returns home many, many years later. However, he's shocked to see that his wife's mind has snapped and Feng no longer recognizes him...and even calls out for help when he enters the home! All the while she keeps insisting throughout the film that 'Yu will be coming home on the 5th'...though in her mind the 5th never arrives.So the setup for this is very interesting as is Yu's attempt to get his wife to recognize him. However, ultimately the film goes no where and is just depressing and tedious. The pacing is THE problem with the film, though the downbeat ending didn't help. Too bad, as the concept and the acting are quite good.

Qrobur During the Chinese Cultural Revolution Lu is incarcerated far from his wife Yu and daughter Dandan. He escapes briefly to find the former is frightened but devoted, the latter hostile to him.At the end of the Cultural Revolution Lu is rehabilitated and sent home, only to find that his wife is suffering from a catastrophic condition that means she cannot remember him. The film centres on Lu and his now reconciled daughter's efforts to restore her memory and their family life. Slow-paced, beautifully shot and bittersweet, the story is unravelled and revealed in a thoughtful and moving manner.