I was thinking that this is one of the movies that are predictable and with no deepness. I was so wrong, even as I thought that I can predict the story, parallel stories of the film caught me in the tiny web of perfect graphic, and crossroads. Then I realized that the message of the film is very important, and must be seen all the way. Some reviews here brought my expectations very low, but this film shows once again that you can't trust them until you watch the movie. Acting is great, graphic compelling, but the story... it's a real surprise, because yes, it is predictable up to a point. But even a predictable stories if they're done well can catch an imagination. Feeling that i had after i watched this movie was pleasant. And that's something that i haven't felt for a long while.
8 Reviews
Be amazed by the brilliance of sth.
g-8962228 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The imagery is good, the music is good, the graphics are good, the story is good, the feelings are good, what more? The director is very beautiful! The so-called love of the third world. In the first world, he was a ginkgo and she was a cuckoo. In the second world, he was a horse thief and she was captured. In the third world, he was the last born, and she was Luo Fu. In that life, you are an apricot tree, I am a peach blossom. In that life, you were a gunman and I was an enemy woman. In that life, you were a fool and I was a woman. Suddenly, three lives have passed... The next life, are you still there?
"Your tea is cold. I will refill it for you."
akechi_mariko19 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"Your tea is cold. I will refill it for you." A reoccurring phrase from the movie that will mean so much to you after you watch it. Eternal Beloved is about a story that takes place in the early to mid 20th century China.
Mr. and Mrs. Mo, a young couple, move into a troubled house which used to be a monastery. One evening, the wife meets the spirit of a monk standing under a tree in the front yard. She gathers her wit and listens to his story. He tells his story from 50 years ago - a story of family rivalry and unrequited love.
The monk, in his previous life, was Ah-Ming, the younger brother of a bandit leader. As he's horse-riding one day, he sees a beautiful young woman (Ah-Jiu) and decides to kidnap her and force her to marry him. Years pass and despite his persistence to woo her, she remains silent and cold. But one day she begins to smile at him. This doesn't last long and their love is abruptly cut short.
Ah-Ming waits for his lover for 50 years as a ghost, but will she ever return to him? Will he get to another chance to make her happy? The movie is fairly easy to follow and will keep your attention, as long as you don't mind storytelling. As with most things, having patience paid off with this movie - the last ten minutes was the most dramatic segment, a release of all the emotions built up throughout the movie.
Character development is also fantastic - the main characters are realistic and deep. Feihong Yu and Yihong Duan performed exceptionally well in their roles: Mrs. Yu plays both the quiet and cold role of Ah-Jiu and the friendly, gregarious character of Mrs. Mo. Yihong Duan does an even more fantastic job with his two roles: on one side, he is the tired, broken-hearted spirit and on the other, an energetic man who enjoys everything young people did.
I also want to mention that the use of audio, particularly music, is also very well thought out. Some scenes were really brought to life, especially the last part, with the choice of music.
Overall 8.5/10
Mr. and Mrs. Mo, a young couple, move into a troubled house which used to be a monastery. One evening, the wife meets the spirit of a monk standing under a tree in the front yard. She gathers her wit and listens to his story. He tells his story from 50 years ago - a story of family rivalry and unrequited love.
The monk, in his previous life, was Ah-Ming, the younger brother of a bandit leader. As he's horse-riding one day, he sees a beautiful young woman (Ah-Jiu) and decides to kidnap her and force her to marry him. Years pass and despite his persistence to woo her, she remains silent and cold. But one day she begins to smile at him. This doesn't last long and their love is abruptly cut short.
Ah-Ming waits for his lover for 50 years as a ghost, but will she ever return to him? Will he get to another chance to make her happy? The movie is fairly easy to follow and will keep your attention, as long as you don't mind storytelling. As with most things, having patience paid off with this movie - the last ten minutes was the most dramatic segment, a release of all the emotions built up throughout the movie.
Character development is also fantastic - the main characters are realistic and deep. Feihong Yu and Yihong Duan performed exceptionally well in their roles: Mrs. Yu plays both the quiet and cold role of Ah-Jiu and the friendly, gregarious character of Mrs. Mo. Yihong Duan does an even more fantastic job with his two roles: on one side, he is the tired, broken-hearted spirit and on the other, an energetic man who enjoys everything young people did.
I also want to mention that the use of audio, particularly music, is also very well thought out. Some scenes were really brought to life, especially the last part, with the choice of music.
Overall 8.5/10
What real love truly is!
dsbydt216 August 2010
The classic Hollywood love story can be summarized by what Shrek joked about.
1. There is a princess in need of help.
2. Prince Charming slays the dragon, rescues the princess.
3. They fall in love and lived happily ever after.
As an example, Avatar falls into that category.
Eternal Beloved on the other hand shows us that true love is selfless and received by grace. Its not earned by slaying a dragon for your princess and you may not get to live happily ever after. And whatever happiness we have today is to be treasured, for there may not be a tomorrow.
10/10 for all those who want a true romance movie
0/10 for all those action/horror/thrill seekers...
...because beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
1. There is a princess in need of help.
2. Prince Charming slays the dragon, rescues the princess.
3. They fall in love and lived happily ever after.
As an example, Avatar falls into that category.
Eternal Beloved on the other hand shows us that true love is selfless and received by grace. Its not earned by slaying a dragon for your princess and you may not get to live happily ever after. And whatever happiness we have today is to be treasured, for there may not be a tomorrow.
10/10 for all those who want a true romance movie
0/10 for all those action/horror/thrill seekers...
...because beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
Mandarin - but still understandable
thienbao16 November 2009
A teacher just taught my class today about "when films are considered good". He mentioned that when you can watch an entire film without any understanding of the language, but still get it... thats because the film script is fantastic. Now I don't speak more than 5 words mandarin and I literally watched the whole film from beginning to the end. The actors body language, camera perspectives, music and the landscape is great to see. It's enough to tell me a story even while I don't understand his and hers yipper yapper. Of course i'm going to see this one again with subtitles at least, but I have to mention the fact that this movie got me interested in a positive way. If you're a bit of a film lover and know a thing or two about making films and what "great" shots are, man - this movie has a bunch of great shots. A lot of shots are very dynamic, the only thing that could be a bit annoying is the rotation of the camera when pointed on a character. It is amazingly done, but its done a bit too often. Emotions are brought very well; and I gotta say those actors delivers great performance! And man! Those filming locations are nice! What more can I tell ... The storytelling got me in a strange language. A good romance/drama.
A boring and trivial love story
kkccoo20 October 2009
The movie is terribly shallow and amateurish. It feels like reading a boring long love letter without anything new.
The love between leading actor and actress is forced and contained little to no chemistry possible due to their ages. They are in their middle 30s, but they tried to act as teenagers in the past. You don't know why they fell in love with each other. Acting of leading actor and actress is so awkward. The leading actress carried one facial expression from the beginning to the end.
The plot is full of holes and laughable. The audience can guess the final twists from the very beginning.
Anyway, save your time and money on this movie. watch better romance movies like "roman holiday" instead.
The love between leading actor and actress is forced and contained little to no chemistry possible due to their ages. They are in their middle 30s, but they tried to act as teenagers in the past. You don't know why they fell in love with each other. Acting of leading actor and actress is so awkward. The leading actress carried one facial expression from the beginning to the end.
The plot is full of holes and laughable. The audience can guess the final twists from the very beginning.
Anyway, save your time and money on this movie. watch better romance movies like "roman holiday" instead.
A Beautiful Story Told Simply and Slowly
polyglot-809-6280984 August 2010
This is a classic Chinese love film. It is a wonderfully told story of two souls destined to meet, come together, for better or worse and then be torn apart under tragic circumstances. Yet, their souls meet again. This provides the backdrop of the plot line and from there the story gets unfolded and told simply and without any rush. For those who prefer foreign movies with "simple stories told well" or "stories told beautifully", you should enjoy this film. Anyone with any knowledge of Chinese culture will appreciate the multi-layered story lines that encompass the film: brother to brother; younger brother to captured bride; bride to husband turned monk; and finally two souls meeting years later to play out the final chapter in their eternal love.
The acting is superb. Each character holds his / her own even with the leads playing dual roles and the constant flash backing.
The scene shots and editing will also sustain your imagination. Great film which has just gone onto my recent favorites list.
The acting is superb. Each character holds his / her own even with the leads playing dual roles and the constant flash backing.
The scene shots and editing will also sustain your imagination. Great film which has just gone onto my recent favorites list.
it's a really good story
grasshopper-9366429 December 2016
It is one of the few movies I like to watched again and again. Every time, I end up balling in the end. I think it is a classic like princess buttercup. but it is deeper than that and tragic and yet quintessentially fulfilling.
This poor guy. He was not handsome. He may not be manly like his brother. But he was so sensual and brave and stubborn. It is painful to grow up. He acknowledged that. He said he thought as long as he has the true heart of love and effort, he can harvest true love. He didn't know what he was against with. it was wrong in the beginning. Wrong time, wrong place, wrong sequence. Yet love blossomed when it's no tied lingered, no sex involved. Two heart melted together and two soul joined hands. True love is like that.
I also like to watched another Chinese classic where two person loved each other because they understood each other like no one else could and they can't love each other and marry each other. I don't know what else could be more painful.
but it is good story because there is revelation. Even if one die or one fails, one also understood. One saw the true heart of another and that in itself is a confirmation and fullfillment of love. as long as you know you have another square in the eye, dead center in the heart, you are requited, you are satisfied, you had it without having it.
Beautiful actress, talented too. she is the film maker as well.
This poor guy. He was not handsome. He may not be manly like his brother. But he was so sensual and brave and stubborn. It is painful to grow up. He acknowledged that. He said he thought as long as he has the true heart of love and effort, he can harvest true love. He didn't know what he was against with. it was wrong in the beginning. Wrong time, wrong place, wrong sequence. Yet love blossomed when it's no tied lingered, no sex involved. Two heart melted together and two soul joined hands. True love is like that.
I also like to watched another Chinese classic where two person loved each other because they understood each other like no one else could and they can't love each other and marry each other. I don't know what else could be more painful.
but it is good story because there is revelation. Even if one die or one fails, one also understood. One saw the true heart of another and that in itself is a confirmation and fullfillment of love. as long as you know you have another square in the eye, dead center in the heart, you are requited, you are satisfied, you had it without having it.
Beautiful actress, talented too. she is the film maker as well.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
