The Story of Qiu Ju

Zhang Yimou, best known in the West for his high-flying martial arts masterworks Hero and House of Flying Daggers, remains earthbound with this relatively minor satiric film. Gong Li plays Qiu Ju, a determined rural woman seeking justice after her husband is injured in a fight with a village chief. While the local authorities are willing to compensate her husband for his injuries, they refuse to issue a formal apology for his mistreatment. Qiu Ju's attempts to obtain one via legal channels escalates until her mania in satisfying her pride in the face of endless bureaucracy becomes completely divorced from the issue that began the mess. While the verbose film's slow pacing may alienate those who know Zhang only from his recent epics, the rich costume design and art direction here will attract those familiar with his earlier works (including Ju Dou and Raise the Red Lantern). 1992's The Story of Qiu Ju also features one of Li's finest performances, a marvelous mix of spirit, self-righteousness, and determination spiraling into lethal overdrive. Even when the storyline begins to sag, her vibrancy and sheer force of personality continue to command the viewer's attention, making this less-than-perfect vehicle—presented here without extras—a strong optional purchase. (P. Hall)