I had no idea that Jet Li had starred in a movie such as this, and when I found out, I must admit that I was intrigued and wondered how he would fare in a movie such as this. So it was with some expectations that I sat down to watch "Ocean Heaven" (aka "Hai yang tian tang").
First and foremost I must say that writer and director Xiaolu Xue managed to accomplish something quite unique and beautiful with "Ocean Heaven". It was a rather beautiful story that was both entertaining and also had somewhat of a deeper message other than just being for entertainment purposes.
Then I must also move on to say that Jet Li was surprisingly good in a dramatic role, albeit it was a bit odd to see him in a mature and serious role such as the one he portrayed in "Ocean Heaven". But he managed that with flying colors. However, it was actually Zhang Wen who stole the spotlight with his performance.
This is the story of an Wang Xingchang (played by Jet Li) who is taking care of his disabled brother Dafu (played by Zhang Wen). Dafu is a man with autism and needs his brother to assist him in many things. But when given some bad news, Wang Xingchang must ensure that Dafu learn enough to be self-sufficient.
While the story in "Ocean Heaven" is a touching and profound, then it just lacked something to become a real tearjerker. But it is definitely a beautiful movie with equally beautiful performances by the cast.
If you enjoy dramas and if you enjoy Asian cinema, then you should by all means give "Ocean Heaven" a chance. I enjoyed it, and I was genuinely surprised with Jet Li's performance in a slowed down movie such as this in comparison to the adrenaline-fueled and fast paced action martial arts movies that he usually stars in.
