Temptation Of A Monk

Clara Law is best known for her stories of modern life such as Letters To Ali and thus Temptation Of A Monk is a very different showcase for her skills. Although very much in the style of Chinese feudal epic with its dynastic conflicts and bloody betrayal and is stylistically heavily influenced by Kurosawa in the action sequences it has some rather odd features like the theatrical make-up and seemingly a-historical wardrobe that suggest other, more philosophical concerns (and sometimes, perhaps, Peter Greenaway's love of the decadent).

Indeed about the half-way mark the film pretty much jettisons the whole historical epic format and segues into a kung-fu monks-on-the-run story before following the lead character to his face-off with his betrayer in a tumble-down monastery.

Ultimately the story is one of redemption but there is insufficient focus on the main character to make this work and we are left with an attractively staged story but not a whole lot more.

 

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