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SummaryMarda (Jia), a motorcycle courier becomes obsessed with a beautiful young girl named Moudan (Zhou), whom he falls in love with only to lose her in a botched kidnap attempt to gain money from her wealthy father. Moudan jumps into the murky waters of the Suzhou River and becomes lost forever. Marda is sentenced for three years, but upon his return ...

Directed By:Ye Lou

Written By:Ye Lou

Suzhou River

Metascore
Generally Favorable
76
User score
Mixed or Average
5.6
My Score

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Metascore
Generally Favorable
76
89% Positive
16 Reviews
11% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
L.A. Weekly
A waterlogged little jewel of a Chinese movie that you must rush out and see at once or else.
89
Mr. Showbiz
Suzhou River might be more pulpy than profound, but it still sings its old song better than we've heard in years.
User score
Mixed or Average
5.6
50% Positive
6 Ratings
25% Mixed
3 Ratings
25% Negative
3 Ratings
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
May 7, 2019
10
JTCS_27
SPOILER FREE "There's a century worth of stories and rubbish here". This is Suzhou River, a magnificent tale about love, compromise and trust. On the dirty streets of Shanghai, the film is shot in a beautiful way, during the day, you gritty place, full of social contrasts, and during the night you have a beautiful scenario where all dreams stand out through the main character's first-person angle. The faceless videographer finds a girl named Moudan who works for a night club as a mermaid, and starts a relationship that's somehow (you'll find it out when you see it) entwined with Mardar, a small-time crook and motorcycle courier, who meets Meimei, a character also played by the brilliant Zhou Xun. From here on, it's all mystery, it may even make you confused, but trust me, it is the good kind of confusing. Overall, an absolute classic, that you can't miss, even if it's quite old, and even the characters' dialogue is in Mandarin!
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May 7, 2019
9
UlrichtheKing76
Great Chinese classic movie from their 6th Generatio, with great urban filming. The characters are interesting and it is worth watching, I recommend!
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80
Variety
A compelling story of love and obsession whose progress mirrors the sinuous flow of the Shanghai waterway that supplies its title.
By David Rooney
FULL REVIEW
75
New York Daily News
This Asian-flavored Hitchcock is a complicated tale with no easy answers.
75
New York Post
This intriguing film is the best variation on "Vertigo" since Brian DePalma's far more polished "Obsession" (1976), which ranks with the best Hitchcock knockoffs of all time.
70
The New York Times
Mr. Lou lets it play on for too long. Suzhou River offers impeccable attitude and captivating atmosphere, but little emotional or intellectual impact.
50
Village Voice
A ghost story that's shot as though it were a documentary -- and a documentary that feels like a dream. Almost too fashionable for its own good.
See All 18 Critic Reviews
Jul 9, 2023
7
RichieValero
UNA OBRA DE CULTO SOBRE EL AMOR Y LA OBSESIÓN Pues le doy toda la razón a este gran personaje con la voz en off que es el que nos cuenta una parte de la historia, porque parece que no, pero hay muchos sitios en un país o ciudad que pueden causar cualquier tipo de emoción y sensación, y sobre todo hacerte una descripción clara y breve de esa zona, igual que al fijarse en los habitantes, y observar sus vidas cotidianas. A día de hoy, hemos perdido contacto visual y comunicación por culpa de los móviles y ordenadores, y deberíamos reflexionar sobre ello y volver a aprovechar el poder visual y comunicativo que tenemos. Esta historia te cuenta detenidamente la historia de amor de un repartidor y su encargo: una chica super acogedora y feliz e inocente aún viviendo en una situación no muy cordial. Muchas veces la forma de crear películas y representarlas cambian en algunos aspectos dependiendo de las culturas en las que se graban o en que ambientaciones esté, y por eso, en este caso he cambiado un par de veces de opinión, con la cinematografía y las actuaciones. Sin embargo, las interpretaciones me gustan, pero las necesito más emotivas y con un poco más de entusiasmo ya que en algunos puntos más dramáticos de la historia no he sentido nada. Sin duda alguna, el objetivo de esta película es más que bueno, se queda a las puertas de lo que para mí es una historia y un guión original, pero no me importa, ya que al final de la película lo que para mí consigue es un punto existencialista más que acertado. Y eso me ha obligado a decirme a mí mismo que si tengo la oportunidad de verla otra vez lo haré. RICARDO VALERO, JUNIO 2023, ESPAÑA.
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See All 12 User Reviews
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Production Company:
  • Dream Factory
  • Essential Filmproduktion GmbH
  • Arte G.E.I.E.
  • Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF)
  • Göteborg Film Festival Fund
  • Goutte d'Or Distribution
  • Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR)
  • Uplink
  • Studio Babelsberg
  • Hubert Bals Fund
Release Date:Nov 8, 2000
Duration:1 h 23 m

Awards

Golden Kite Awards (China)
• 2 Wins & 5 Nominations
Paris Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
International Film Festival Rotterdam
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
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