Crouching movie, hidden meanings

Yesterday, CineVerse had the opportunity to fine-tooth-comb one of the greatest martial arts films of them all, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," a picture richly layered with interesting characters and themes. Here is a summary of that discussion:

HOW DOES THIS MOVIE DEFY YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

·       For a Hong Kong martial arts movie, it’s quite richly textured with a plot structure that features romance, revenge, tragedy, and unrequited love

·       While the action and fighting is thrilling and important, it’s not the main focus of the movie: the action serves to advance the story and enhance the characters, rather than the other way around

·       It’s also a film with very interesting characters who each possess absorbing backstories and motivations

·       The ethereal, graceful and masterful quality of the martial arts choreography and fight sequences are breathtakingly executed; instead of employing hard, aggressive fighting styles, it uses catlike, soft movements and depicts superhero-like powers

·       The cinematography and natural location shooting is sweeping, epic, colorful and awe-inspiring

·       The score, featuring a mournful cello by Yo Yo Ma and exciting drums, is beautifully moving and well syncopated to the rhythm of the fighting, movement and editing

·       While it has eastern philosophical sensibilities and character motivations that may be difficult for westerners to grasp, it’s an emotionally accessible film for audiences of any country and features exhilarating cinematic moments that can be appreciated by someone of any language or cultural background

·       This film follows in the tradition of the “wuxia” genre of Hong Kong/Asian martial arts action films.  “Wu” refers to war or martial arts, while “xia” refers to an honorable adventurer or warrior hero

WHY IS THE FILM CALLED “CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON”? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

o   The name “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” concersn the hidden or undiscovered talnets and mysteries that exist below the surface of a person who otherwise appears normal

o   Lo’s name means “Little Tiger,” which refers to the “Crouching Tiger of the title

o   Jen’s real name means “Jade’s Dragon,” which refers to the “Hidden Dragon” of the title

THIS FILM DEPICTS SEVERAL CHARACTERS AND SUBPLOTS, BUT WHAT IS AT THE HEART OF THIS FILM, AND WHAT IS THE TITLE REFERRING TO?

·       The primary structure centers on the romance between the two young people: Lo and Jen

·       Li Mubai and Yu Shu Lien are the 2 secondary protagonists, who provide the unrequited love subplot and serve as the dignified and master warrior heroes of the movie

·       A second subplot involves revenge: Li Mubai must avenge his master, who was killed by Jade Fox—Jen’s mentor, who has poisoned Jen to her ways

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR THEMES EXPLORED IN THIS PICTURE?

·       Predetermined gender roles: the 3 main females in the movie all try to push beyond the boundaries of what culture, tradition and society expects of women

o   Jen struggles between her wish to be respected by her family and accepted by society and her yearning to be free

·       Jade Fox is bitter for the fact that her mentor wouldn’t teach her the master martial arts methods because she was a woman; she’s also mad that he came on to her sexually

·       Yu Shu Lien abides by the moral codes and patriarchal society mores imposed on her, respects the privileges of males and ignores her desire for Li Mu Bai because it would be dishonorable to marry him when she was engaged to his brother, who died

·       The sword of Green Destiny is a phallic symbol of power that Jen and Jade Fox aspire to

·       The conflicting relationship between student and teacher (Jen and Jade Fox, Jen and Li Mu Bai)

·       Revenge, betrayal, suppressed love, and the pursuit of freedom are other important themes

·       The 3 main characters, Li Mu Bai, Yu Shu Lien, and Jen, respectively represent the philosophies of Taoism, Confucianism, and Zen Buddism

WHY DOES JEN CHOOSE TO KILL HERSELF AT THE END OF THE MOVIE, OR IS THIS ACTUALLY SUICIDE AT ALL?

·       She realizes that marriage would restrict her from her goal of freedom

·       The freedom she sought ended up killing Li Mu Bai

·       It’s the honorable and heroic thing to do under the circumstances

OTHER FILMS BY ANG LEE

·       Eat Drink Man Woman

·       Sense and Sensibility

·       The Ice Storm

·       The Hulk

·       Brokeback Mountain

·       Life of Pi

OTHER NOTABLE WUXIA FILMS

·       Come Drink With Me

·       The House of Flying Daggers

·       Hero

·       Curse of the Golden Flower

·       Kung Fu Panda