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Riding Alone for
Thousands of Miles
Directed by: Yimou Zhang
Starring: Ken Takakura
Genre:
Foreign
Run Time: 107
min.
Release Date:
September 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Getting into the human
equation and away from acrobatic flying daggers, director Yimou Zhang
spins solid gold in his latest film, RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF
MILES.
Set against the stunningly picturesque Yunnan Province in southwestern
China, Gou-ichi Takata (Ken Takakura) leaves his beloved Japanese
fishing village to travel thousands of miles and finish video recording
a famous Chinese folk opera for his dying son.
Mr. Takata and his son have become distant since the death of Mr.
Takata’s wife, not speaking to one another for years. When word comes to
him that his son, Ken-ichi, is in the hospital, Mr. Takata races to the
city only to be rebuffed by his son’s bitterness. Mr. Takata never sees
his Ken-ichi, but his son’s wife, Rie (Shinobu Terajima), tells Mr.
Takata an interesting story about his love of Chinese folk dancing. She
hands him an unfinished tape of Ken-ichi’s work and, after watching it,
Mr. Takata decides to finish the recording. “Not being good with
people,” Mr. Takata immediately encounters problems when he enters
China. But he learns quickly, and finds humility within himself in order
to finish the tape.
Mr. Takata knew that his son wanted to film one particular opera (also
called Riding Alone For Thousands of Miles) sung by one particular
Chinese man named Li. But Li is in prison after stabbing a man. Getting
permission to film Li performing the folk dance from the government
higher-ups becomes one of Mr. Takata’s earliest obstacles. Then, after
gaining access, Mr. Li has a meltdown, thinking about his own distant
son. Emotional beyond repair, Mr. Li is unable to dance for Mr. Takata.
So Mr. Takata leaves to come back another day ...but an idea is sparked
in his head.
Mr. Takata goes to “The Stone Village” to see if he can convince Mr.
Li’s five-year-old son to come back with him to the prison so that he
can visit. What follows is one of the most emotionally impacting moments
in Chinese film history. Unable to be close to his own son, Mr. Takata
transfers much of his emotional heft onto young Yang Yang (Mr. Li’s
son), and audiences will no doubt spill plenty of tears as this happens.
The beauty of the surrounding countryside in the Yunnan Province is an
awesome spectacle to behold; a backdrop that towers in all its majesty.
Ken Takakura deserves Oscar mention for his quiet yet powerful (and
heartbreaking) role as the conflicted and determined Mr. Takata.
All of the other actors are not actors, though. They are ordinary people
picked by the director for their appearances and mannerisms; excellently
done by the way. There’s little doubt most will know that none of them
have acting experience unless DVD watchers click on the extra features.
A brilliantly done foreign film that proves director Yimou Zhang isn’t
just an action freak.
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Image from Riding Alone
for Thousands of Miles
DVD cost: $25.99
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Film Review Stew
Favorite?
Yes.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Director Yimou Zhang
decided on a change of pace after his wildly popular "Hero" and "House
of Flying Daggers". This film shows how Zhang not only knows how to do
action, but how to portray human beings.
Movie Quote: "I
want to do something for my dying son."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Riding Alone for Thousands of Miless
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