Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

dragonladywest I find this movie to be slow paced and boring, while it brings up the subjects of class, gender and the down falls we take in life splendidly. I found my self wishing that this would end quickly, this film almost seemed like it was in a haze the character stuck the ruts of life, trying to claw their way out. Included in this film was heavy opium use, this I found interesting. The costuming while beautiful and drool worthy added very little to these indecisive characters.Slowly true intentions are brought to the surface and a bit to slowly, the crispness that often appears in films of this nature is gone leaving you with a gritty feel. I am sad to say that this barely passes the test, despite its many awards and nominations I found myself bored. Not the worst but also not best.

nycsean I have to disagree with the previous poster on this film, I thought it was fantastic and moving. It tells the stories of a set of turn-of-the century courtesans and their client in Shanghai. About 20 characters revolve in and out, yet the director has expertly chosen to focus on key moments and conversations. The movie never leaves the internal rooms of the brothels or "flower houses", and you feel a sense of the entrapped social circumstances that ensnares all the characters. The cinematography is beautiful, taking advantage of low-lighting and inner spaces.

c42105 At the end of the 19th century, Chinese officials used to spend their leisure time in lush brothels in the British concession of Shanghai. Hou Hsiao-Hsien's 'Hai Shang Hua' depicts the intricate social network sustained in those premises by the customers, the girls (called flowers) and the Madams. The personal relations in those brothels were ruled by pleasure, money, love and social status in a perfect parallel to the 'outside' society, which, in turn, is perceived throughout the film almost as unreal. Hou is a master creating ambiences: the film transmits an extraordinarily subtle feeling of warmth and suffocation fostered by a miraculous music. With neither a beginning nor an end, this superb film is not apt for those looking for adventures and easy-to-tell stories.

Byung Hsiao-hsien Hou pushes his style to maximum in this movie. His sequence shots leaves only his spirit for love and its power. Making the consciousness of themovie likely dust, the subtle camera movement helps Hsiao-hsien Hou to achieve this style. The shots vanish and scenes only continue. It can be called truly a no shot movie. This style fits the beauty of Asia very well conceptually and visually! Relax, it's just a movie. Drink the visual of foods and opium and drunk like a new age music.