Our Time Will Come (Ann Hui) [Archive]

Stay Puft

07-20-2017, 06:41 PM

I like a lot of it and don't like a lot of it.

I've been thinking about one thing though and it's really bothering me... What is it with Chinese war epics and modern day framing devices? All of the ones I've seen recently have them, whether it's a Jackie Chan vehicle, a goofy Tsui Hark 3D blockbuster, or an Ann Hui prestige pic. The one here is probably the least offensive, but it's still every bit as pointless. I feel like this must have something to do with state policy or the censorship board or whatever, but I can't figure it out.

Anyways, the best part of the film, and the reason I am ultimately a "yay" on this (despite its many problems and the typical crutches of mainland productions), is a combination of two things: first, the setting, which is something I don't think I've seen a war film tackle yet, and second, the focus on women. Ann Hui spends a lot of time showing us the role women played in the HK resistance, and I appreciate and admire the film for that. Ann Hui brings a fresh perspective to the usual proceedings. It's not revelatory - as I said, the film has many of the accompanying faults of both its genre and its financing partners - but it's enough to make the experience valuable and worthwhile. At least, I felt so. I still enjoyed the film overall and felt it had many strong elements, from the central performances, to Nelson Yu's cinematography (there are some stunning night shots near the end) and even a surprise musical score from Joe Hisaishi (I had no idea he worked on the film, and was having a good time with some scenes just letting those beautiful Hisaishi melodies wash over me in a theatre).

A Simple Life is a much better film, however.