Flowers of Shanghai

Watch Flowers of Shanghai

  • NR
  • 1989
  • 2 hr 10 min
  • 7.3  (4,028)
  • 73

Flowers of Shanghai is a highly acclaimed Taiwanese film directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien, set in the late 19th century when Shanghai was one of the largest and most vibrant cities in the world. The movie explores the lives of upper-class courtesans, their relationships with wealthy men, and the customs and traditions that govern their lives.

The story revolves around a group of courtesans, who live and work in luxurious parlors, catering to the whims and fancies of their wealthy clientele. The movie portrays the beauty and elegance of the courtesan lifestyle as well as the complexities and contradictions that come with it. The courtesans are highly trained in the arts of conversation and music and are coveted for their sophisticated charm and alluring beauty.

The main character, played by Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, is Master Wang, an affluent businessman who is a regular customer at the most popular parlor in the city. He has a longstanding relationship with one of the courtesans, Crimson, played by Michiko Hada, and most of the plot revolves around their complicated relationship.

Master Wang is torn between his love for Crimson and the patriarchal customs that govern his life. Crimson is a strong and independent woman who wants to be with Master Wang, but her fate is tied to the whims of her wealthy clients who pay a premium for her companionship. She is torn between her love for Master Wang and her obligation to serve her clients.

Michelle Reis plays a more minor role as another courtesan, Jasmin, who is in love with a penniless painter. Her story contrasts with Crimson's – Jasmin is a very sensitive woman who is not suited for the courtesan life, but she is nonetheless caught up in its dehumanizing requirements.

What sets Flowers of Shanghai apart from other movies is its cinematography. The director uses long takes and static camera shots to capture the beauty and elegance of the courtesan lifestyle. The camera is often placed at the level of the courtesan's hands, to give the audience a sense of intimacy with the characters. The movie also has a lot of close-ups, which not only underline the beauty of the actors but also allow the audience to see the emotions on their faces.

The movie also explores the role of music in the courtesans' lives. The courtesans often perform music and sing songs to entertain their clients. But music is also used as a coded language of seduction, with each note and melody symbolizing a different emotion or message.

Overall, Flowers of Shanghai is a highly atmospheric and beautifully crafted movie that offers a glimpse into a world that no longer exists. The movie explores themes such as love, power, and patriarchy, and raises questions about the cost of maintaining traditional social hierarchies. The movie is not fast-paced, and it requires the audience's patience, but it has a slow, hypnotic power that draws viewers into its world. Flowers of Shanghai is an excellent film for anyone interested in exploring the art of cinema or the complexities of human relationships.

Flowers of Shanghai is a 1989 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 73.

Flowers of Shanghai
Description
Where to Watch Flowers of Shanghai
Flowers of Shanghai is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Flowers of Shanghai for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1989
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    2 hr 10 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.3  (4,028)
  • Metascore
    73
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