# Chinese Box (1997)

### reviewed by
Jon Popick

There are probably a lot of metaphors and symbolism that I just flat out missed when I saw Chinese Box. It could have something to do with seeing it at 9:00 AM with only 3 hours sleep, or it could just be the subject matter which I am admittedly not an expert on.

The film is set in Hong Kong during the days between New Year's Eve 1996 (the last under British control) and July 1, 1997 (when China reclaimed the province). Sounds exciting so far, right? Throw in a tiresome romance that goes ultimately unresolved and you've got yourself two hours of pure unadulterated fun.

Jeremy Irons plays John, a sickly Brit author transplanted in Hong Kong for the last fifteen years. He's left his wife and kid back home, presumably to pursue the love of his life, Vivian (Gong Li, Farewell My Concubine). Vivian, a former hooker and John's ex, owns a successful karaoke bar but wants only to marry her wealthy politician boyfriend, Chang (Michael Hui), in order to distance herself from a dirty slutty past. The trouble is that there is absolutely no emotional spark between John and Vivian, and that is a fact that made me very sleepy.

The saving grace of Chinese Box comes from Maggie Cheung (Supercop), who plays a street-wise con artist named Jean. John meets her while filming a monotonous video diary of how the impending hand-over will effect citizens of different social pedigree. Jumpy Jean immediately intrigues John, who squanders his days away trying to find out what makes her tick.

What these two stories have to do with each other is beyond me. I guess that I understand the basic comparison of the uncertainty of the three main characters with the real life inhabitants of the province, but that's a pretty weak plot. Perhaps viewers more intimate with the subject matter may find it more passionate.

I'm not even sure if director Wayne Wang found that passion in his finished product. Wang's previous efforts seem much more emotional to me, especially The Joy Luck Club and, one of my secret guilty pleasures, Slamdance. Don't laugh.

And what's the deal with Jeremy Irons career? If he's not playing a terminally ill character (Stealing Beauty), he's in some big budget piece of crap (Die Hard with a Vengeance and the reprehensible The Man in the Iron Mask) or worse yet, the voice of a cartoon character (The Lion King). Gong Li, who is widely regarded as the most beautiful woman on the planet, is under used in her first English speaking role. Her lines are limited and usually monosyllabic. And it is very strange to see her wearing blue jeans. Cheung and Ruben Blades (The Devil's Own) shine in their supporting roles.

To summarize, Chinese Box was about as exciting as the actual Hong Kong hand-over. It was a lot more efficient as a three-minute sound bite delivered by Peter Jennings.

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