I must say I really like Willem Dafoe. He has charisma and he can convey a lot naturally, without acting too much. The young and adult women actresses were also good in this film. I can't understand why Dafoe decided to act in this movie. Until somewhere in the middle, movie keeps nice pace, although I was constantly bothered by the one dimensional man character, the husband of the wives, and also too simple black and white setting. The husband's and servant's characters were exaggerated and fool. Come on, what do you think we audience are? Dumb? Not to mention to deadly stinky dialog which makes Harlequin books deserve Nobel prize. The way how all the Chinese characters speaking weird English is nearly unbearably superficial. Mostly this bothers the husband's character which is seen as something between monstrous, pitiful and womanizer. And by the way, what is his job? When the movie should have focused on it's promising character development, it delivers patriotic Americanized foolish national message that doesn't tell anyone anything. Only Westerner is seen as some kind of liberator and martyr. Why this movie had to include the war and showing Japanese soldiers raping women in the street? Does that have anything to do with the story? We all know war is hell. One little detail - Japanese soldier whistling "Sakura" song while taking a leak. Sakura song is perhaps most known Japanese folk song. Such a small detail, but if they really wanted to show invasion of the foreign army, why not to do it with gut, not with cheap tricks like that. And, is this a war movie? OK the characters refer to the possibility of war in the middle of the movie too, and some might say it gives this porridge a dramatical end. But gimme a break! If they produce this as a TV movie and cut the unnecessary war part out and also remove the porridge from the beginning it might make a nice TV drama. If you want to see war movie, watch TORA TORA TORA. If you want to see Chinese drama, watch "The Joy Luck Club". Or read the book "Pavilion of Women" rather than watch this flick.

but it is not bad. This movie seems to play like an opera. There is much exaggeration. Except there is no singing. If there was singing, it would excuse the simplification of the story. Also, there are no scenes were the camera pulls back and allows the viewer to appreciate the landscape and sceneryHowever, the film is still entertaining. It has some touching moments although the ending was definitely over the top. It is worth watching if you like melodrama.

Movie was interesting,exciting, and well acted, an excellent take on Pearl Buck's book. It elicited some sadness, but also some happiness and hope. I enjoyed the movie and found it interesting the way that the Director was able to portray the time frame in China by use of the background scenes. Also gave good insight into China's previous culture, and political environment.

I could not believe how lousy this film was and I tried to think why. Well its co-made by China and a United States film studio and I think thats where the trouble lies. Its americanized. No original angle or aspect into the chinese people. All the characters are one dimensional and act on the most basic of emotions. Only actress Luo Yan has a few decent moments but the rest is all hokey nonsense. It plays out like a mediocre mini-series and I kept expecting one of two things to happen. Either Richard Chamberlain was going to stumble in OR the characters were going to burst into song and sing "Getting to Know You". The last half hour is so overly dramatic that it puts daytime soaps to shame. Bad filmmaking!