Customer Reviews

Zhou Yu's Train

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

ZHOU YU'S TRAIN is another beautiful film from China, refreshingly romantic and intimate film giving us a break from the constant onslaught of the Chinese martial arts films that have so deeply influenced the movie market around the world. As directed by Zhou Sun this low-key tale concerns changes in the lives of three rather simple citizens of Northern China. The simplicity is gratifyingly successful.

Zhou Yu (played with exquisite subtlety by the magnificent Gong Li) is a working girl who is carrying on the family tradition of painting porcelain for exporters. Unassuming, she meets Chen Ching (Tony Leung) who is a poet afraid of his talent and self-deprecating to a fault. Zhou Yu hears the beauty in his work and falls in love with both the poetry and the poet. Chen Ching lives out in the country and Zhou Yu must take a train to enjoy her very frequent trysts.

Fate intervenes and on one of these train trips she encounters Zhang Qiang (Hanglei Sun), and affable handsome young Veterinarian who at first pursues her for her 'art' and is rebuffed by Zhou Yu, but the mustual initial physical attraction is undeniable. In time Zhou Yu seeks out the rather secretive Zhang Qiang in his country setting and the two begin a lusty affair. Zhou Yu is torn between the poet and the doctor. How the ultimate love triangle is resolved speaks to the age old questions of passion, art vs. science, and equivocation of the entangled heart.

The scenery of China is beautifully captured and the camera says much about the current social levels of living in China. The music is strangely completely Western when a bit of the old China music seems to be more appropriate to such an intimate tale.

But it is the luminous, multifaceted performances by Gong Li especially and Tony Leung and Hanglei Sun that bring a rich credibility to this small tale. Highly recommended. Grad Harp December 2004

ZHOU YU'S TRAIN is the type of film that may -- just may -- require repeat viewing in order to take in all the thia story has to offer: if you blink -- much like the effect of the quickly passing scenery out the window of any train -- you might miss something better explored, as the ending of this evenly-paced romance shows.

While one could hardly argue with the notion that there are parts of TRAIN that appear uneven and, at least, forced, the film still manages to deliver a perspective worth a single view: Zhou Yu falls in love with a poet she must take the train to see, but, aboard the train, she finds herself somewhat distracted by a veterinarian who insists -- despites her mild protests -- on pursuing her affections. As a result, TRAIN explores more than one budding relationship and can be confusing on more than one occasion. In fact, one could make the argument that what truly is transpiring here cannot be fully appreciated until the film's final few moments, and, even then, the viewer may be left with many unanswered questions. However, what is clear is Zhou's desire to seek the answers to questions of the various loves in her life (two men, friendship, art, etc.), and the narrative clearly appears to be a device through which an exploration of the female mind and heart is undertaken. Whether you reach a destination is entirely up to the viewr.

Of course, the best scenery is, indeed, Gong Li. If you're a fan of her work, then TRAIN is definitely for you.

There seems to be much confusion about Gong Li's dual role. Ihope this clears up some of the confusion. My spin is totally different. First of all, there was never a bus wreck. Chinese culture thinks and write in beautiful metaphors, and although her character did take the bus trip, it did not crash. The crash is however, the only way to describe her coming back a different and more mature person. She was no longer "floating", but more confident and sure of what she did not want. Basically, she did not want either of the two men she was hoping to find herself with. The most beautiful scene in the whole film is the end. After years of being tied to the rails, riding trains to meet her lovers, they show a Jeep Cherokee driving along side the train, only to turn away in a dramatic split and liberation from the rails, and her past. She does visit the poet, only to tell him esentially, do not look for Zhou Yu in me. The little girl was gone. She no longer needed the fantasy of him in her life. She found her own way.

The story in Zhou Yu's Train is one about love and freedom. The first topic was taboo in China until only recently (the fact that this film has no female nudity attests to the strict sensorship, both cultural and political, in that country) and the second still forbidden with austere legal enforcement.

The film is a little confusing, especially in the first 30 minutes, due to the use of nonlinearity. It almost seems convoluted, but once you brave on, you'll figure out the story. I'll give a quick rundown of the plot.

Zhou Yu, played by the talented actress Gong Li, is a locally successful porcelain painter. One day, she meets a struggling shy poet called Chen Ching (Tony "The Lover" Leung) and they soon start seeing each other. Zhou is also pursued by a playboy-like veterinarian named Zhang Qiang, whom she meets twice on the train ride to her friend's town: the first time when Zhou and Zhang board the train together and he breaks one of her porcelain bowls, the second time they are introduced to each other by their common friend, the train conductor.

Now the story becomes easy to follow: Zhou wants Chen to commit, but Chen's self-doubt and struggling career propel him to escape from Zhou by going to Tibet. Zhou tries to find a second love in Zhang but simply cannot stop loving Chen. She goes off to look for Chen... well, I can't give the ending away!

The beginning is confusing also because Gong is cast in two roles: that of Zhou (longer, curly hair), and a secondary character called Xiu (short hair), who appears occasionally until the end, when her role becomes clear. In case you still don't get it, here's how it works (SPOILER ALERT!): Xiu is Chen's new girlfriend after Zhou's death in the bus accident. She (Xiu) meets Chen after he has published his collection of poems (this happens at the start of the film). And Xiu is the female narrator of the story. She tells Chen "don't try to find Zhou Yu in me," but obviously, she does want to play the role of Zhou Yu to Chen and make him love her.

There's an innate beautiful quality to the film, thanks to the visually stunning cinematography. (BTW, my friend Ann tells me the hilly city in the film is actually Chongqing, in southwestern China.) Whether it's wideangle landscape, a dreamy indoor scene with soft sunlight coming through bamboo blinds, or sharp-focus close-ups of Gong's beautiful face or her character's beautiful porcelain, each shot in the film is well-composed, well-lit, and well-exposed, almost to perfection. Together with a propelling original music soundtrack, Zhou Yu's Train is a worthy film watching experience. If you are a fan of Gong's, you won't be disappointed; she proves her talent and, almost 40, her sensuality.

This is a beautiful lyrical film about experiencing love and being tempted ... essentially torn between two very different kinds of lovers. One lover is Chen Ching, a librarian and poet, who is highly romantic and the other is Dr. Zhang, a veterinarian, who is more down to earth, a realist. Zhou Yu [Gong Li] is in love with the poet whom she visits by train twice a week. She loves to ride the train to the city of Chongyang where she takes a tram ride over the river, and walks up a series of steps to his home. However, she is partially living in a dream world, and does not think much about the future. Her dreams are shattered into reality when she learns Chen Ching's job is being eliminated. He is offered a teaching job in a remote province of Tibet which he accepts. It is around that time Zhou Yu meets Dr. Zhang on the train who is fascinated by a large porcelain vase she carries. To him, it looks like an antique vase from the Qing Dynasty. He flirts with her - trying to discover more about why she is on the train so often ...

During one of Zhou Yu's trips to see Chen Ching, she nearly faints on the train. The episode occurs after an unsuccessful poetry reading she sets up to promote the publication of Chen Ching's poems. She had sold her own hand-painted porcelain vases as well as family heirlooms to finance the publication of his writing. Dr. Zhang was asked to help a passenger on the train but he declined, using the excuse he is a veterinarian, he does not take care of people. This event came back to haunt him after meeting Zhou Yu for the first time. The conductor pointed out he asked Dr. Zhang to help her but he would not.

Using the technique of flashbacks, the filmmaker provides a surreal feeling throughout the film which adds mystery, intensity and depth to the story. The method works very well throughout except when Xiu (a dual role played by Gong Li) enters the film. To this viewer, it is unclear who Xiu is. Initially she was mistaken to be Zhou Yu reminsicing about the past. Only at the end does it become clear what role she plays and that it is a different person altogether. There are many endearing scenes which occur on the train as Dr. Zhang and Zhou Yu strike up a friendship which eventually leads to a torrid love affair ... The playful quality of their flirtation, the challenging questions each poses to the other, leads to attraction and fascination which is very well portrayed.

The mystery of Zhou Yu's visits to Chongyang becomes an emotional chasm between Dr. Zhang and Zhou Yu ... Trying to please Zhou Yu, Dr. Zhang accompanies her by train to visit a mysterious place called Xan Hu where there is supposed to be a lake. It is poetically described by Chen Ching as an "enchanted celadon" and used as a metaphor for their love. To Zhou Yu's disappointment, there is no lake. The poetic imagery of the lake haunts her ... Dr. Zhang tries to lift up her spirits and reassures her, "If it is in your heart it is real. If it is not, it never was." These soothing words are later spoken back to Dr. Zhang by Zhou Yu. They strike his heart with a bull's eye precision just as she intended. The entire film has an artistic dreamy quality. The scenery as viewed from the train is breath-takingly beautiful. Also, there are many subtle creative elements making it a pleasure to view again and again. One can miss so much with only one viewing due to the artistic quality of the film and possibly because of the translation from Chinese to English. The film explores the relationship called love by comparing and contrasting the practical vs imaginary, the real vs unreal, the romantic vs pragmatic through intense lyrical scenes which build up interest and intrigue. There is a surprise ending which is totally unexpected but very realistic. Erika Borsos (pepper flower)

Zhou Yu's Train is one of those films that is simple, but so powerful. It is pure beauty captured on film with feeling and a grabbing story. The story and the atmosphere will pull you into the film.

Zhou Yu's train takes place in northen China where it follows the story of Zhou Yu, played marvelously by Gong Li, a woman who falls in love with a shy poet. She loves him deeply and wants nothing more than his love. The only problem is that they live an one day traintrip for each other. So two days every week, Zhou Yu takes the train to be with her lover. But life is't easy and problems start to develop. She meets an animaldoctor who falls in love with her. She is attracted to him but is deeply in love with her poet. A struggle deep inside her heart begins.

The locations in Northen China are so beautiful. Eyeopening landscapes let you feel the atmosphere. Also the camerastyle is one of the things that makes the film feel different. Next to those beautiful pans and steady shots, this film has some unsteady shots that put you right into it. It helps you to feel the story. Sometimes I had the feeling I was there, right next to the characters. It gives you pure realism.
The music in the film is gorgeous and makes you feel the story as well. The theme is wonderful and will stay in your head for some time. Even though music is present in quite a few scenes, mostly you just hear the sounds of the surroundings which also gives pleasant realism to the film.
Considering casting this film is a true masterpiece. The beautiful Gong Li acts so powerful, that with one glance of her eyes you will know how she feels. She is the one who carries the movie and makes it work.
The film is a slowpaced, may it be simple, but oh so powerful story about love and will. It feels like a romantic mystery. And I am happy to have explored it. I am blown away by it's simple and beautiful power. It is an emotional journey through the heart of a normal woman.
This film is one of the proves that China can give so much more than just epic Martial Arts films. Sometimes one of these little masterpieces comes along.
See for yourself and drift away with Zhou Yu on her train of Love.

Zhou Yu's Train is a dreamy exploration of love's magic within a world of impossible expectation. The story resonates with deeper elements of romantic nature and many of the scenes require an intuitive understanding of infatuation's complexity and mature love's decisions.

This is not a movie to observe casually (reading all the subtitles greatly enhances the meaning), although the movie can be viewed for the pastoral beauty of the countryside and the romantic fusion and deeply satisfying chemistry mingling with train scenes and travel adventures.

When reading between the lines, this movie seems even more about unspoken longings and desires that are somehow buried beneath lakes and hidden in the mist of time.

Zhou Yu is caught between two men who both seem deeply interested in her for numerous reasons. The relationships seem to follow a similar pattern, but the degrees of passion vary dramatically. A slow building satisfying love with a man living close to her gives Zhou stability, while her passionate longings for a poet and a long distance relationship constantly seem to cause her to veer off track emotionally.

I can watch this movie over and over again and each time fresh nuances appear and the movie only becomes more meaningful.

~The Rebecca Review

If you liked Gong Li's previous movies you'll hate this one. It is a tedious story of constantly oscillating emotions in a pair of romances that are hard to care about. Gong Li's title character does little but ponder her life and kiss a few men. The photography is beautiful. If someone gives you this movie for Christmas, go ahead and watch it, but turn off the sound and subtitles.

This is a beautiful and haunting film. I enjoy watching it again and again because it makes me think in a way one does not normally think about characters. The sound track blends nicely with the energy of this movie. It has a bittersweet feel to it without being too heavy. I love this film and will continue to watch it often.

Zhou Yu's Train is certainly one of those films that some may not like the first time around. If you read up on it on some websites, they'll even tell you that you might miss a few things. I believe in this also but this movie for me gradually turned into one of my favorite movies.

The story is set in China and based on Zhou Yu who is played by the beautiful Gong Li and her travels to and from her boyfriends home. Of course, she travels by train and this allows everything from her conversations to her thinking to herself to be slowed down. This is where the film reminds me a little of a Wong Kar Wai film. The dialogue is very good but still not Kar Wai good. Zhou Yu's boyfriend Chen Ching is a poet who writes for himself but finds the courage to write a poem for Zhou Yu and give it to her.

The very first poem he writes for her is the one that makes her fall in love with him. Zhou Yu is an artist herself and maybe more artistic than Chen Ching, she makes beautiful vases. She runs into a man named Chen Qing during her travels on the train. Chen notices a vase she is carrying with her but he really just likes Zhou Yu. Although Chen and Zhou Yu have noting in the beginning, they entertain each other with good conversations during their travels. They start to gradually develop a close relationship. The story then starts to deal with Zhou Yu having trouble because she has two men that love her but she loves one more than the other.

I had a hard time watching this movie the first time. It was interesting, wasn't really boring but it gives you the feeling that you have to be in a certain mood to enjoy it. The continuous talking leads to good but light conflict between Zhou Yu and other characters but there is a surrounding mystery that gives it a bit of depth. Gong Li also plays another character who is that mystery but it comes to make sense by the end of the film. The acting was exceptional; I loved the playfulness of Zhou Yu's conversations with Qing and the seriousness of her conversations with Chen Ching.

I came to ask myself if she was really in love with Ching, or if she was just in love with his poetry. I loved the camera views, picture quality, and definitely the settings. Having two of the characters on a train makes them have talk to each other but it also shows that they come to need to be on the train with each other. It actually makes a surprisingly sort of serene setting. The writing was great and does not let you down at all. If anything, I would warn a future viewer to give this movie more than one chance. If you can't make it through the first time, watch it again and I recommend watching it on a nice night. To me it is just a 5 star movie, it had perfect acting, a great story, and an ending I did not quite favor but it was still acceptable.