aNewDomain
— Acclaimed director Zhang Yamou has created a heart-stirring masterpiece with “Coming Home.” Unlike his martial art sensations “House of Flying Daggers” and “Hero,” Yamou’s “Coming Home” is a story centered in love, separation and the connection of family.
Superb performances by the incomparable Gong Li (Zhang Yamou’s reliably brilliant stock actress) and the wonderfully understated Chen Daoming are electrifying to watch as they play an aging married couple reunited after years of forced separation. The Cultural Revolution tears Feng Wanyu and Lu Yanshi (Li and Daoming respectively) apart, and when Lu finally returns his wife no longer remembers him. Amid political ideology and a close examination of life in China lies an emotionally charged relationship that is relatable and compelling.
I give this riveting film an A.
My sleeper pick this week is “Pawn Sacrifice.” My guilty pleasure pick is “Sleeping With Other People,” and my must-have DVDs to get this week are “The Last Impresario,” “La Sapienza” and “The French Lieutenant’s Woman.”
Check out film clips in my video review of “Coming Home” below. Have a great time at the movies!
For aNewDomain, I’m Cole Smithey.
