Viewer Comments:The King Of Masks
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Gorgeous, gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful.
[begin spoilers] Never mind the cultural issues of selling your children, but I chose to focus on the relationship and bond that slowly develops between the 'grandfather' and the 'grandchild' he purchased in the belief it was a boy...which just turned out to be a girl. Should I say yet another unwanted girl?[end spoilers]
A gorgeous piece of both heartbreaking and heartwarming movie making.
A very touching story about family and sexual roles on par with "The Whale Rider". Well acted, well directed, and well scripted. I cannot recommend this film highly enough.
-THREEFOLDDADO (see my profile)
| AGREE? | READER COMMENTS | AUTHOR |
| Y | Fantastic film! | TT1379 |
| Y | Choco |
One of the most gorgeous films you will ever see. It follows a master of masks in his latter years. A sad fate was handed to him and he is without an heir to safe keep his art-form. He buys a young boy looking for a better life, and begins the apprenticeship. Shit hits the fan when master learns he has been tricked into buying a girl. Predictable outrage follows but don't be disheartened as this tiny actress will melt and amaze any heart. The acrobatics alone are no mere feat and she acts with a maturity that is something to behold. The well scripted dialogue and thoughtful character development pull you right in to the central thematic; that there is no one way to be a family and only a fool passes up the chance to be loved.
For those of us that are waiting for a Chinese film that doesn't end in everyone dying, rest assured.
| AGREE? | READER COMMENTS | AUTHOR |
| Y | Choco |
| AGREE? | READER COMMENTS | AUTHOR |
| N | 2 stars? How?? This movie is awesome. I hope you'll give it another chance. | Choco |
This movie was simply one of those amazing feeling films. There's so many things I wouldn't want to spoil by trying to explain how I thought it was so good. Suffice it to say, this is just an excellent film. Highly, highly recommended.
This movie is so good, it keeps being stolen from my library. It is a realistic portrayal of the discrimination girls face in China as well as the life of a street entertainer.
This movie is amazing. I was so pleased to see it. The pictures are so beautiful and the actors are so good. I discovered the world of Buddha and Guanyin. The relationship between grandpa and little watermelon is so wonderful. I recommend it to anybody.
A tremendous film, wonderfully acted. The little girl deserves the sort of acclaim and fame that came to Tatum O'Neil for "Paper Moon", yet she has never appeared in another film.
| AGREE? | READER COMMENTS | AUTHOR |
| Y | Choco |
| So many reader reviews I read give a film 5 stars just because they like it. Within the review they will even mention it's flaws, which is inconsistent but understandable. "Hey! I really want to share my enthusiasm for Ichi the Killer, so I give it 5 stars!" (I give Ichi 5 stars too).
However, in the case of King of Masks, the movie gets 5 stars the hard way. Not by appealling to a niche audience with low budget violence and gore (I like that stuff too!) but by masterfully telling a heart wrenching story without ever being cliche or corny in the process. I've always believed that it's easier to capture an audience's attention with dark imagery and shocking or violent content, than to create a film of beauty, sorrow, and redemption. King of masks does the latter. I really want to set up the plot, but if you go into it cold, there just may be a twist early on that might catch you off guard. HKFlix is right on this one. (I love that if they think a movie stinks, they say so!). Don't read any more reviews, don't even read the synopsis. Just order this movie right now, and if your heart isn't completely made of stone, you will not regret the purchase. Just keep the Kleenex nearby. |
| AGREE? | READER COMMENTS | AUTHOR |
| Y | Spot on, a fine, fine film! | TT1379 |
So beautiful I can't find the right words.
| AGREE? | READER COMMENTS | AUTHOR |
| Y | An amazing film that everyone who has a heart should watch! | TT1379 |
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