In the flood of films, the wuxia series, in which heavily painted actors with white faces and skinny figures fly on the lines in the air, where after "battles" are reigned by impeccable costumes and hairstyles, where an overtly mock kiss or a long camera shot of the heroes' hands are sometimes called chemistry, this the film is still an island in the ocean of kitsch.
There is a story about a woman and a man. There is a story about a girl and a boy. About the search for perfection and the search for freedom. About righteousness and meanness. Without lofty screams and verbal declarations (such as "I'll never leave you"), the plot itself carries silent values. Silence can also be a scream, but for that you need the right direction. And here the camera work is perfect. Shows as much as you need.
The game is brilliant. Sparse facial expressions reflect surprise, surprise, rage, wildness without unnecessary contortions or the stony face that we now have in c-dramas.
The fight scenes are the best I've seen so far (apart from the comedy with Jackie Chan, love you Jackie). There is movement, speed, efficiency, naturalness. Of course there is also flying in the air, in trees, in water, but this is not a mainstream fight.
And there is chemistry. Actually, I can call it chemistry. There is sexual tension, there is passion, wildness, kisses between a girl and a boy, and the maturity of feelings between a woman and a man.
Music perfectly suited. First of all, it doesn't bother you. It blends into the film, it is an immanent part of it.
There is nature, views, but shown casually. Without turning to the nature and landscape film.
In a word, I am "for". And my heart was stolen by Michelle Yeoh Choo-Kheng. A beautiful, mature, talented woman. Chapeau bas Michelle.