Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - 2000

Ang Lee's best film was an unlikely success. Produced on a shoestring budget of $15 million with dialogue entirely in Mandarin it crept into the public consciousness in the US based almost entirely on word of mouth. It went on to become the highest grossing foreign language film in US history and was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning three. But the numbers don't really tell the tale here. This is a film that requires multiple viewings. It's story, while outwardly straightforward, is more deeply felt than first meets the eye. Set in 18th century China it revolves around Jen, daughter of privilege who is facing an arranged marriage with a man her family feels will bring them prestige by association. Jen wants no part of it and longs for the life of the Wudang warrior. At the Governor's palace where she is staying while she awaits the wedding she meets Shu Lien, a warrior herself who is there to deliver something: a sword called the Green Destiny that belonged to the legendary warrior Li Mu Bai, who has renounced violence. Jen wants nothing more than to listen to endless tales of the carefree life of the warrior from Shu Lien but Shu is reluctant, cautioning the young woman that the life of the warrior is not all its cracked up to be.

One night the Green Destiny is stolen by a mysterious masked figure. Shu Lien pursues the thief and corners him/her only to discover that, whoever they are, they are well versed in the secret martial arts techniques of Wudang. The thief slips away after intervention by an equally shadowy third party, and the hunt is on. The fight sequences here are breathtaking, the wire work is mesmerizing and the scene of Shu Lien chasing the thief over the rooftops of Peking at night is some of the most enthralling, beautiful, dreamlike imagery ever captured on film.

Li Mu Bai arrives at the palace himself, hoping only for some quality time with Shu, only to become embroiled in the intrigue. He discerns that somehow a woman nicknamed Jade Fox is involved. It was Fox who had poisoned his master 10 years earlier and Li's inability to avenge that murder has lain heavy on his heart ever since. Sensing his opportunity he intervenes in a fight between an undercover police detective and Jade Fox and has her pinned to the ground awaiting his final blow when the thief suddenly appears, Green Destiny in hand. Jade Fox escapes and kills the detective while the thief takes over the fight with Li. This fight sequence is also beautifully choreographed by Hong Kong action master Yuen Wo Ping who skillfully demonstrates the difference between a talented but undisciplined wannabe in the thief and the ultimate control of the Master, Li. It is touches like this, subtle, graceful, never insisting upon themselves but essential to the telling of the larger tale that separate Crouching Tiger from the competition.

Shu soon deduces that Jen is the thief and discreetly offers her a way out, which Jen rejects. But Jen becomes scared when she learns who the man Jade Fox killed really was and moves to return the Green Destiny and put an end to the affair. Li, however, is waiting for her and offers to become her master if she will submit to him. Jen recoils out of loathing, unwilling to play second fiddle to any man be he husband or master. It is this running from something (domination, either real or perceived) rather than moving toward something (loyalty and self control) that is both Jen's saving grace and achilles heel.

Ultimately the story moves to the country side as Shu and Li pursue the fleeing Jen who is leaving a trail of destruction everywhere she goes. Jade Fox (who intervenes yet again to save her during a confrontation with Li) tries desperately to re-establish the bond that once existed between the two women. When she is rebuffed by Jen she drugs her and holds her hostage while planning her next move. But her lair is discovered by Li and Shu. The outcome of the heartbreaking final confrontation between Jade Fox and Li presents (for me anyway) a much more appropriate take on Ang Lee's major recurring theme (unrequited love) than the more feel-good ending of his near masterpiece from several years earlier, Sense and Sensibility. And the ending, while open to interpretation, allows the tale to float off into the world of myth from whence it came.

Chow Young Fat does an excellent job as the marital arts master who has suffered for his self control. Michele Yeoh brings an everywoman's air of authenticity to her role but the real discovery of Crouching Tiger is the almost impossibly beautiful Zhang Ziyi who not only sends sparks skittering across the screen every time she appears but plays the part of the headstrong but vulnerable young woman to perfection. The music, unencumbered by the Hollywood success algorithm (Get John Williams on the phone!), is a perfect accompaniment to the story with Yo-Yo Ma's cello piece over the final credits some of the most emotionally riveting movie music I've ever heard.

If you have the option I'd recommend watching the English sub-titled version. Though the overdubbed version was well done there is still something a little off-putting about watching mouth movements that don't match with what you're hearing. But either way you can't really lose. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is an unexpected epic you will not soon forget.

Here's a clip of the first fight between Jen and Shu Lien.