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Farewell My Concubine

Starring: Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi
Director: Kaige Chen
Genre: Drama
Year: 1993
Rating: 2 / 5

Reviewed by Guest Scribe Legend

This is a highly touted movie which ranks poorly on the entertainment scale. It recounts the story of an adolescent troupe of theatre performers who are emotionally and physically abused so that they will be properly groomed to assume their given roles in the prestigious Beijing Opera. Douzi (Leslie Cheung), given to the troupe by his prostitute mother who could not be bothered to keep him around the brothel, is practically forced into being effeminate, forced to repeat a line that he is "by nature a girl" so that he may one day perform as Concubine Yu in the opera. Shitou (Zhang Fengyi) is his counterpart - a friend who plays the other main role of the king. The opera itself, incidentally, is named "Farewell, My Concubine," from which the title of the film is derived.

It is difficult to watch young teens abused physically, mostly through bare bottom spankings and ungodly stretches. It is reminiscent of a documentary NBC aired during the Sydney Olympics showing adults sitting on Chinese youths and stretching their bodies so they will become suitable lissome for gymnastic success.

Eventually, the two main characters grow up and become stars of the Beijing Opera in the roles they were groomed for. Taking stage names, they reach celebrity status. Things begin to brew once Shitou takes Juxian as his wife (Li Gong, the star Chinese actress at the time plays this role). It just so happens that Juxian is a former prostitute and that Douzi is quite jealous since he seems to have homoerotic feelings for Shitou. If it were not for the historical backdrop of the film, this would be nothing more than an unsavory, tawdry soap opera. The film's saving grace is seeing China in transition from royalist to Japanese occupied to communist and then experiencing the burgeoning Cultural Revolution.

None of the protagonists are likeable, though a great deal of sympathy at least is created for them. The film is overly long and there are several scenes of the opera in action. Fans of Chinese opera may appreciate this, but I believe many Western viewers will find the performances strident and cacophonous. This is not to disrespect Chinese culture, but I believe it is reasonably difficult to appreciate this art form. Though clearly a well-made film, Farewell My Concubine is outstripped by films which would be otherwise be inferior but are at least much more easily watched.

Cast:

Certification: Rated R for language.
Running Time: 171 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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