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Review: Enjoy 'Crouching Tiger' -- especially at the Bogart-era theater in Smithfield By
Kevin King
If you tire of Hollywood's typical fare, then you should make a trip to The Main Theater in Smithfield and see an alternative piece of cinema. The theater, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, are worth the trip. Once you purchase a ticket and walk through the double doors, you travel back in time, with a twist. The concessions are the typical 21st century menu, although you can order a cappuccino or even an Italian soda if you like. As you pass through the lobby and enter the theater you return to a time when going to the cinema was a cultural event. Formal attire was required to attend the movies and see pinnacles of Hollywood such as Eva Gardner and Humphrey Bogart. The house lights are chandeliers, the carpet down the aisle is a paisley print, and the seats all have wooden armrests without cupholders at the end. The screen is hidden behind a gold embroidered dark red velvet curtain reminiscent of the live theater of the past. The experience at The Main Theater is nostalgic and one that everyone should have in his or her cultural repetoire. The title of the film is misleading. It sounds like another foreign martial arts film, however, do not judge this movie by its poster alone. This film is a classic love story in the setting of beautiful tropic China. It begins with Li Mu Bai, played by Chow Yun Fat, the greatest warrior of his time, returning to his village. He is met by his longtime friend Yu Shu Lien, played by Michelle Yeoh, who runs a security compound. The romantic tension between Li and Shu Lien is there from the beginning. Li asks Shu Lien to take is legendary sword, the Green Destiny, to a respected leader in Beijing. Li explains to Shu Lien that after years of fighting he wants to follow a new path in life. A mysterious masked thief later steals the Green Destiny. The thief is suspected of being an aristocratic governor's daughter. Shu Lien investigates into the disappearance of the sword. Li soon joins Shu Lien. The accusations against the daughter turn out to be accurate. She is secretly being trained in martial arts by a notorious female criminal, Jade Fox. Fox, years earlier, poisoned and killed Li's martial arts master. The governor's daughter Jen, played by Zhang Ziyi, is unsure of her arranged marriage and speaks with Shu Lien about the freedom of being a fighter. The storyline continues through several scenarios of conflict. It is emotionally suspenseful and consistently builds toward the climax. The continual clash of Chinese cultural roles and customs vs. the feelings of true love and honor keep the audience captivated and on an emotional roller coaster.
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