Springtime in a Small Town (2002)

Liyan and Yuwen live in post-war torpor, childless but with Liyan's school-aged sister. He coughs, imagining he has TB; Yuwan embroiders; they sleep in separate rooms. A surprise visit from... See full summary »

Director:

Zhuangzhuang Tian

Writers:

Cheng Ah, Mu Fei

Stars:

Jingfan Hu, Jun Wu, Bai Qing Xin

4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Jingfan Hu	...	Yuwen
Jun Wu	...	Dai Liyan
Bai Qing Xin	...	Zhang Zhichen
Xiao Keng Ye	...	Lao Huang
Si Si Lu	...	Dai Xiu

Storyline

Liyan and Yuwen live in post-war torpor, childless but with Liyan's school-aged sister. He coughs, imagining he has TB; Yuwan embroiders; they sleep in separate rooms. A surprise visit from Liyan's boyhood friend Zhang, a big city physician, wakes up the household. To Zhang's amazement, he discovers his friend's wife is his own youthful sweetheart. Possibilities abound: an affair, an arranged marriage of Zhang and Little Sister, now 16, or simply ending ennui and embracing vitality. Can a stifling atmosphere of Chinese Chekhov give way to spring? Alcohol at a birthday party speeds resolution.

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Plot Keywords:

game | shanghai china | friend | post war | marriage | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements

Details

Country:

China Hong Kong France Netherlands

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

11 December 2003 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Springtime in a Small Town

Filming Locations:

Wu Zhen, Zhejiang, China

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,506, 16 May 2004

Gross USA:

$43,017

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$57,751

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beijing Film Studio, Beijing Rosart Film, China Film Group Corporation (CFGC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min 115 min (Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema) 112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

User Reviews

Just beautiful

I usually don't dig Chinese movies. As far as asian cinema is concerned, I am more a Japanese or Korean fan. But this Springtime is bliss. Just about everything is beautiful, from script to cinematography to acting (with the notable exception of the girl who plays the young sister, whom I thought was over-acting).

One thing I thought was interesting is the way director Tian expressed his intention of editing from the original version of the movie (shot in the '50s) all the elements that would not appeal to a viewer today. Therefore, we must assume that pre-arranged weddings are still a common fact in today's China. What about love ?

Well, enough for the pseudo-sociological analysis. On a more pleasure-oriented level, this is a jewel. Not a perfect movie, granted, I couldn't rate it more than the 8 I gave it, but such a nice little piece of work. Colors, sounds, camera movements, actor's play, everything is fluid, warm, inhabited. A very nice springtime in a small town indeed...