Suzhou River

Suzhou River, a breathtaking movie from 2000, stars Xun Zhou, Hongsheng Jia, and Zhongkai Hua. This intriguing Chinese film is directed by Lou Ye, who brings the bittersweet depths of love and the stark realities of a changing landscape of contemporary Shanghai into sharp focus. Set by the grimy banks of Shanghai's Suzhou River, the movie masterfully weaves together complex love stories within the confines of its overlying dystopian backdrop.

The film opens with the anonymous and never-seen narrator; a videographer for hire and occasional petty criminal who's content to watch life from behind his viewfinder. He immerses us into the heart of the story, starting with a tale about a motorcycle courier named Mardar (Jia Hongsheng). Mardar is drawn into a tragic romance with Moudan (Zhou Xun), the daughter of a black-marketeer for whom he occasionally works. Once betrayed, Moudan inflicts a wound on Mardar that partially cripples him. She then disappears, causing Mardar to obsessively search for her by the river where they'd spent much of their time. On his journey to find Moudan, Mardar crosses paths with Meimei (also played by Zhou Xun), a nightclub dancer who performs a mermaid act. In her, Mardar believes he has found Moudan while the Videographer simultaneously falls for Meimei.

At its core, Suzhou River is undoubtedly a romance, a modern-day rendition of the timeless tragic love story. However, its representation of love isn't traditionally sugar-coated but a portrayal of love tinged with obsession, despair, and longing. It explores the theme of love's doppelgängers - the idea that we see what we wish to in our love interests, often overlooking reality. The confluence of these stories, heartbreak and yearning, adds a raw, unfiltered authenticity to the relationships portrayed, each echoing a mutual haunting of past traumas and an inability to exorcise them.

Suzhou River also masterfully showcases the city of Shanghai, emblematic of a transforming Chinese society. The Suzhou River itself serves as a metaphorical parallel to the narrative, carrying along the city's detritus, witness to countless stories of sorrow. The river turns into an unspoken character as it voyages through Shanghai’s underbelly district, where grime, rust, and brackish waters brush up against modernity. The grimy aesthetics of the film, combined with its tantalizing visual style, parallel the contrasts between the cityscapes and the character's lives, generating a vivid representation of urban decay and regeneration.

Threading through the undercurrents of love and despair, Suzhou River also unfurls the mystery genre through its narrative lens. It invites the audience to share the Videographer's voyeuristic gaze, peering through the viewfinder of the unseen narrator. The story is presented as a puzzle where scenes are often revisited from different perspectives, enhancing the narrative style with various layers of mystery, creating a sustained illusion throughout the movie.

The film is strongly reliant on its powerful performances, especially by Zhou Xun, who dons two different roles that are intricately woven. She inhabits both characters – Moudan, the helpless and romantic lover, and Meimei, the enigmatic entertainer – with distinct personas, demonstrating the depth of her talent. Hongsheng Jia is equally convincing as Mardar, making the audience feel his vulnerability, heartbreak, and obsession.

Cinematographically, Suzhou River ventures beyond conventional norms, establishing a pattern of stylistic innovations. The shaky handheld camera shot contributes to a feel of raw reality and places the viewer squarely in the chaotic world of the characters. This striking visual style mimics the essence of the narrative, interweaving reality and fantasy, while importantly bearing witness to the rapid transformation of the city.

Suzhou River is a poetic and alluring film that taps into the human condition's universal elements. Its stylistic approach and engrossing plot make it a compelling viewing experience for those who seek a seamless blend of romance, mystery, and social commentary. Reflecting on the changing face of modern love and urban life, this movie offers bountiful food for thought, long after the credits roll.