Review of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2011) by James C — 14 Jul 2011

While this has some pedigree behind the camera with director, Wayne Wang, and screenwriter, Ron Bass, and composer, Rachel Portman, who all worked on "The Joy Luck Club" together, this film unfortunately doesn't leave the same emotional impact.

The story of two women who bond as teenagers and how their relationship is tied to the 19th Century past where a descendant was bound together in a relationship with another girl from an early age. I know that came out complicated, but the past story was interwoven well with the current one in a way that is easily to understand.

The performances by the two female leads (Bingbing Li & Gianna Jun) are fine and the film looks great. I just wish I had more emotionally invested in the characters to feel the impact of love & loss.

Actually, the past story probably plays a bit better than the present day one.