Review of Dumplings (2004) by Wei W — 23 Jun 2008

Yes, we already know from the beginning what the ingredient is for the dumplings. Yes, we are freaked out. But, what makes the film even more unsettling is the realism the film took in revealing the ugly side of human nature. it's not as gory or bloody as one would wanted, but still, watching the film makes you feel disgusted. Not due to the ingredient in question, but rather how desperate one would take to achieve something that might not even be there. Haunting and realistic, yet dreamy and beautiful, the film benefits from the crew members, from the acclaimed director Fruit Chan, to the acclaimed cinematographer Christopher Doyle, to the excellent script that paints the ugliness in human nature, to the excellent cast (Miriam Yeung proved that she can handle roles that are meaty (no pun intended) and subtle, Bai Ling showed that she can act in something serious, and Tony Leung is as horny as hell), it is the collective effort of everyone involved that made the film disturbing to your bones, even without that much gore and blood involved in the process. it is the human nature, my dear.

P/s: there is a shorter version which is available in the horror anthology "THREE... EXTREME", where the shorter version to a certain extent is more condensed and took a different route with the characters in the film... still disturbing nonetheless.