It's always pleasing when a modern movie comes along and reminds us there are still movie makers who understand the basic, intrinsic feelings that motivate our everyday existence. Writers, directors, and producers who are willing to chance making a little less money for the sake of humanity. If you want Mad Max or Superman you won't find them here - so be ready to look into the depths of real souls, maybe even your own! For a story written by a former officer in the army of the PLR during the Cultural Revolution of Chairman Mao – Shanghai born novelist Geling Yan, certainly seems to suggest she has serious misgivings - about what was done to innocent victims in those dark days of political upheaval. While the screenplay by Zou Jingzhi for "Coming Home" is based on Yan's novel "The Criminal Lu Yanshi" it doesn't give us much insight into what crimes Lu committed – instead, it scores its points detailing the tragic aftermath that all too often follow the grief of separation - this time as direct result of political incarceration. In his role of the persecuted Professor Lu, Daoming Chen is terrific, while Li Gong is his equal as his long suffering wife Feng. The movie begins when their daughter, Dandan, played by the exquisite Huien Zhang is in her teens - she was three when Lu was first taken for punishment by the Communist police - so initially, has little understanding of his motivations or forgiveness for his 'betrayal' of the party.Cinematography by Zhao Xiaoding (The Great Wall '16) perfectly captures the living conditions and constraints placed on the people following the over-throw of the revolution. And director Zhang Yimou proves he still has the soul he displayed so superbly with "The Road Home" in 1999. His opening shot through the undercarriage of a passing train is promise of an intense personal journey. The use of rain adds to the feeling of being out-in-the-cold, hunted. Composer Qigang Chen, himself a victim of the Cultural Revolution, adds a rich music score, with piano solo's by Lang Lang, accompanied by a wonderful song without words. If you want action and monsters look towards Yimou's "The Great Wall" as you may feel disillusioned by "Coming Home" – otherwise, a high recommendation to discerning audiences.In some ways this could be looked upon as being the "Hachi" '09 for humans.In fact, this gem deserves a better presentation platform than via the trashy world movies channel - where it will fight for the odd play sessions with WM's usual ultra-low-life porn offerings. Should be transferred to Fox Masterpiece where it might possibly be better rewarded.

"Coming Home" may not be deep in plot; but, the emotions are sincere and very touching. In it's nature, amnesia is tragic and any story that involves it will most probably evoke sadness, despair, and empathy not just towards the character who has it but also the people around him/her. The movie did this very well. Characters and scenes are well-developed.One thing that makes the story compelling is the background layer of the Cultural Revolution. It put the three main characters in difficult situations and distant relationship. It caused a girl, who grew up without a father by her side, to betray her very own father. It caused a woman to live a different life- a life without the man who she loves so much. It made her break "rules". And, it caused a man, who longed to see his family after a very long time, to escape a strict and unfair "authority".It's a story about forgiveness. It's about hope. It's about the struggle of accepting the things you don't want to happen. It's a heartfelt relatable family drama that draws emotions from difficult deep experiences in life.Gong Li's performance is exceptional. Actors playing the other two main characters are great as well. It's a well-edited film with just the right pace.

I'm was born in early 90s in China. As I grow up, my parents always consciously saving up everything. They do not waste anything, food, clothes, etc..My mom is good at stitching clothes. Even thou she can afford buying a new pair of socks, she chose to stitch up the worn ones. I thought I'd never understand why my parents are so thrifty, until I watched this movie.I came to realize what a hard, tough and poor life my parents had went thru after watching this movie. I was even surprised that my parents could actually survived that period of time.I realized that people don't need that much of things to survive. When my friend and I shopping in mall, talking about cosmetics and luxury bags, and living a wealthy and "fancy" life, while my mother when she was in my age, struggling to live, wearing the same clothes everyday, celebrating her birthday by only eating an egg, running after trains in order to pick up the "coal ball" (trains in old time use coal as the fuel and the coal ball is the coal which was not fully burned, and could still being used for generating a little heat).This is a great movie to honor that harsh period of time in China's history. And I'm also glad to see that Chinese government now allows people to talk about that period of time and even make a movie about it.

This movie is just ridiculous. We can know what the end will be 20min after the movie started, and we can even know what brought this movie to the end after half an hour. The movie will not come to an end because time is not up and the unrecognizing affairs are sure to happen over and over because the time is not up. When the time is up, I mean the time that a movie usually takes(for 2 hours APPROX.), she will succeed to recognize him. Isn't it ridiculous? A movie with a childish plot just wasting our time in waiting its end!!!Those so-called touched moments are just like a funny chess play. We know who the winner is so what's the point? Every step seems so redundant!