The Last Emperor (1987)

Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. Starring John Lone, Peter O’Toole, Joan Chen, Richard Vuu, Ying Ruocheng, Wu Junmei, Ric Young, Victor Wong, Ryuichi Sakamota, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Maggie Han, Dennis Dun, Tijger Tsou. [PG-13]

Opulent dramatization of obsolescence, with sumptuous visuals fighting against the frigidity of its frail emotional connection. Tells the vast, tragic story of Pu Yi, the final emperor of China, from his luxuriant childhood inside the walls of the Forbidden City through his exile from the palace after the Beijing Coup and his eventual capture by Red Army forces as a political prisoner. A remarkable triumph of setting and artistry in the early scenes at the palace (the first Western film to be given permission to film inside its walls), and an intriguing study of a young regent spoiled with every splendor he could ask for, except for real political power or the freedom to leave. But after the expulsion, the filmmaking in the second half becomes too conservative and aloof in its account of Pu Yi’s adult life, one marked by constantly shifting winds in the social and political climates that are explored with little clarity or depth, while the central character hardly inspires sympathy for his circumstances when he conducts himself with such casually cruel remoteness. A film of staggering size and beauty begging to be experienced, but almost hostile to any efforts to fully absorb it. Vittorio Storaro’s intimate photography on a large canvas and the glorious music from David Byrne, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Cong Su are especially worthy of acclaim (each of them picked up Oscars for their work). Accomplished an Oscar sweep by winning all nine Academy Awards it was nominated for, the other seven being for Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay (Bertolucci and Mark Peploe), Editing, Art Direction, Costume Design, and Sound.

68/100