Drama
BACKGROUND
The expansionist policy of the Empire of Japan in the 1930’s created a great deal of uneasiness in China, particularly in Shanghai and in the national capital, Nanjing. By 1936 the threat of invasion was almost palpable.
PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Ralph Fiennes: Todd Jackson, a blind ex-diplomat
Hiroyuki Sanada: Mr. Matsuda, an influential Japanese “businessman”
Natasha Richardson: former member of the Russian royalty, Countess Sofia Belinsky
Madeleine Daly: Sofia's daughter Katya
Lynn Redgrave: Sofia's mother-in-law Olga
Madeleine Potter: Sofia's sister-in-law Greshenka
Vanessa Redgrave: Sofia's Aunt Sara
REVIEW
Although beautifully photographed with lovely period costumes, the film tends to get bogged down and proceeds at a snail’s pace. The unhurried manner of speaking and moving about no doubt reflects the manner of upper class society back in 1936, but it results in a movie that is both lifeless and dull.
Even the dancing is done in a very restrained fashion; it looks like they really weren’t having very much fun. Nor was I.
CLASSIFICATION
for some violent images and thematic material.
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