Review of The Last Emperor (1987) by Ernie P — 12 Mar 2008

"The Last Emperor" is one of the best epic/biopic films I've ever seen. Despite its lengthy running time, it's always interesting and never ponderous. In fact, there are many occasions where it feels downright intimate, an unexpected surprise for a film like this.

The film is a highly detailed account of the life of Pu Yi, the last emperor (the Ching dynasty, I believe) of China. Bernardo Bertolucci, the film's director, attempts to show him as he really was and in this attempt he is highly successful. His approach is a sympathetic one overall, for a clear argument of the film is that Pu Yi was essentially a prisoner for most of his life. The "re-education" sequences that dominate the second half of the film are most revealing about the character of Pu Yi - he still regards himself as emperor and those around him as his servants. The case made for him by the film, though, is that being an emperor was all that Pu Yi ever knew. He was a ruler, and everyone around him were his servants. He simply knew nothing about any other type of relationship, which resulted in extreme naivety. The film argues that Pu Yi was essentially duped by the Japanese in their takeover of Manchuria, and it's a persuasive argument for sure.

In more technical areas, the film is a masterpiece. Its look, in terms of camera, sets, and costuming, is impeccable. A case could certainly be made that "The Last Emperor" is one of the best-looking films of all time. Such attention to detail tends to overshadow other things like the acting, which I feel has been grossly underrated. None of the films 9 Oscar nominations (and wins!!) were for acting. Yet, there are still terrific performances here, especially John Lone as the adult Pu Yi, Joan Chen as the Empress, and Peter O'Toole is the ideal of what a supporting actor should be in his role as the Emperor's tutor.

If I have one very small quibble, it would be to wonder why the film was not spoken in Mandarin with English subtitles. I found a little odd that the near-entire Chinese cast would speak in English for the film, although I have to say that the film is so good that this detail didn't really detract from the overall experience. I suppose I have to say something in order to be somewhat of a critic, but other than the spoken language and the slightly abrupt ending there's really nothing else wrong with the movie. One of the very best epics ever made. Highest possible recommendation.