Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2011)
Mature themes
| Director: | Wayne Wang |
| Actors: | Gianna Jun, Archie Kao, Bingbing Li, Coco Chiang, Hugh Jackman |
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan tells the story of seven-year-old girls Snow Flower and Lily, in 19th century China, who had their feet bound at the same age and on the same day, which sealed their fates together as laotongs bound together for eternity. Isolated in their marriages, they furtively communicate by taking turns writing in a secret language, between the folds of a white silk fan. In a parallel story in present day Shanghai, their descendants, Nina and Sophia, struggle to maintain the intimacy of their own childhood friendship in the face of demanding careers, complicated love lives, and a relentlessly evolving Shanghai. Drawing on the lessons of the past, the two modern women must understand the story of their ancestral connection, hidden from them in the folds of the antique white silk fan, or risk losing one another forever. What unfolds are two stories, generations apart, but everlasting in their universal notion of love, hope and friendship.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 104mins |
| Origin: | CHINA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
| Run Time: | 104mins |
|---|---|
| File Size (Approx): | 0.9 GB |
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Member Reviews (31)
31 Member
Reviews
Babs B
says
not everyone's cuppa tea, my partner enjoyed more than I did.
read other reviews for story line. If you are not sure give it a good 40minutes into movie. Is an interesting story. Hugh Jackman plays a small part only.
achates290
says
This was very interesting story of 2 people drawn together in past and present circumstances and the learning of faith and love against all odds is ongoing and ever changing in their lives.
Jenny
says
Loved this story about 2 Chinese girls who both had their feet bound and how this impacted on their lives.
dan
says
not my type of movie.too slow and no action
says
A wonderful story of a life long friendship between two girls described through the story of the friendship between two other girls a hundred years in the past and deserving of 4 stars. Unexpected appearance by Hugh Jackman.
DL
says
An intricate and absorbing plot with relevant insights into changing cultural mores in China, while highlighting the universal need for love, respect, forgiveness and acceptance. Beautiful, understated acting with atmospheric sets that took me back to my childhood in rural China.
Susan
says
probably not enjoyable to most but I found it to be such a different and well acted movie, great story and Hugh Jackman was a surprise, no mention of him (only in small print!) probably not his best performance and one wonders why he was chosen or why he chose the part as it was a minor role? Really worth the watch, dont see many movies like this.
movielover2012
says
fantastic story and casts. hugh jackman was a surprise!! immaculate detail of clothing, speech/ mannerism, poetry. excellent conversion from book. very touching drama. nearly cried in the end. great portrayal of 2 different generations of women lives in China.
sue
says
I enjoyed this film, some guys may not.
Cath
says
I really loved this very sensitive movie. It tells of Two friends paralell lives with the chines ladies who to get good marriages, had their feet bound... Similar movie to The Geisha Girl or similar.
Ron
says
This is truly a deep & touching movie. I've read some of the reviews below - they say it's slow in parts. I think you have to be patient with it & appreciate the depth of what is being conveyed. This is a story spanning much of the two main character's entire lives, jumping gently across three different eras. Not one for people with short attention spans, as there's a fair bit to take in. A very moving portrayal of deep love & friendship. I think the term "chic-flick" would be an insult to this movie. Definitely more appealing & relevant to woman, but the movie still haunts me, & I think it puts a lot of other modern movies to shame. Definitely in a class of its own.
chookey
says
Beautifully done and moving movie if one has the heart to understand Love. I loved it. Very touching. Great acting.
nic
says
as slow as wet weekend but apart from an unconvincing fortunately brief appearance by hugh jackman i really enjoyed this film
June
says
A beautiful and touching movie. I cried at the lovely connection between the women. Thought the portrayal of foot binding was fair and intriguing (still don't understand why). Highly recommended.
Liz
says
Rented this purely because it had Hugh Jackman in the line-up. Very different to my usual choice in flix, but I am really glad to have watched it.. I enjoyed seeing the portrayal of parts of Chinese historical culture, the duplicity across generations, the acting and a lovely sensitivity throughout the whole movie. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for something a bit more refreshing than the usual current Hollywood garb...
Nina
says
i enjoyed the movie,
MLV
says
Beautifully done.
Margit
says
Love,hope, moving, history, friendship and sisterhood...a real heart warming movie.
Purplesue
says
I think this could be summed up in just one word - SISTERHOOD - from early times through to today. A lot of jumping back & forth made it a bit hard to follow exactly what was going on, but it all worked out well in the end. Got a bit of a shock when Hugh Jackman came into it, didn't realise he was even in it (didn't read the Cast section). A good movie, but quite slow in parts. Definately a chick flick tho.
rob and janine
says
Sisterhood movie. Refreshing in its simplisity.
jen
says
I loved ths movie it was very moving, and i would recommend it.
RaeG
says
A nice movie, quite a gentle story, would recommend it for a Chick Flick ..
GK
says
Interesting insight into ancient Chinese customs. A movie that parallels today with ancient times.
John
says
I found this a bit low rent. I expected more Hero and crouching tiger, what I got was... low rent in comparison.
Mel
says
I enjoyed it, I found it quite sad to be honest. Not the best movie ever and not one my husband would like but it was not bad to watch when there is nothing else on.
Fizz
says
Loved this movie, kept you interested all the way, a real sisters movie.
carmen
says
Brilliant, beautiful, poignant. So well acted.
Clare
says
I really liked it, it was better than I expected and I was happily suprised to see Hugh Jackman's appearance. A heart warming movie that wasn't sappy like many predictable American romantic films
Dianne
says
I have read all of Lisa See's books. I am a great fan of hers. I enjoyed the movie very much. I am Chinese and investigating my cultural background in an interesting way was very interesting and enlightening.
LL
says
Great story idea. Would've been more compelling but it was rather slow moving with too many lingering shots. I assumed the director was going for poignant moments but it just felt like it dragged on when it could've been tidied up to 94-96 minutes. Passable performances for the actors - again great story concept, great book - disappointing that the movie did not live up to it. I felt like I walked away from a dreary lecture about feet binding and women's rights in China in the 1800s.
kiddus
says
A beautiful, moving movie. Two time lines interwoven to tell the story of two women. The photography is first class, the story is deeply moving, if you cry at sad movies this may be for you or it may be too slow, it cannot and should not be compared to any other movie it is so vastly different. A must see movie for movie fanatics.