Zhou Yu's Train

This is a beautiful lyrical film about experiencing love and being tempted, essentially torn between two very different kinds of lovers. One lover is Chen Ching, a librarian and poet, who is highly romantic and the other is Dr. Zhang, a veterinarian, who is more down to earth, a realist. Zhou Yu [Gong Li] is in love with the poet whom she visits by train twice a week. She loves to ride the train to the city of Chongyang where she takes a tram ride over the river, and walks up a series of steps to his home. However, she is partially living in a dream world, and does not think much about the future. Her dreams are shattered into reality when she learns Chen Ching's job is being eliminated. He is offered a teaching job in a remote province of Tibet which he accepts. It is around that time Zhou Yu meets Dr. Zhang on the train who is fascinated by a large porcelain vase she carries. To him, it looks like an antique vase from the Qing Dynasty. He flirts with her - trying to discover more about why she is on the train so often ...During one of Zhou Yu's trips to see Chen Ching, she nearly faints on the train. The episode occurs after an unsuccessful poetry reading she sets up to promote the publication of Chen Ching's poems. She had sold her own hand-painted porcelain vases as well as family heirlooms to finance the publication of his writing. Dr. Zhang was asked to help a passenger on the train but he declined, using the excuse he is a veterinarian, he does not take care of people. This event came back to haunt him after meeting Zhou Yu for the first time. The conductor pointed out he asked Dr. Zhang to help her but he would not.Using the technique of flashbacks, the filmmaker provides a surreal feeling throughout the film which adds mystery, intensity and depth to the story. The method works very well throughout except when Xiu (a dual role played by Gong Li) enters the film. To this viewer, it is unclear who Xiu is. Initially she was mistaken to be Zhou Yu reminsicing about the past. Only at the end does it become clear what role she plays and that it is a different person altogether. There are many endearing scenes which occur on the train as Dr. Zhang and Zhou Yu strike up a friendship which eventually leads to a torrid love affair. The playful quality of their flirtation, the challenging questions each poses to the other, leads to attraction and fascination which is very well portrayed.The mystery of Zhou Yu's visits to Chongyang becomes an emotional chasm between Dr. Zhang and Zhou Yu. Trying to please Zhou Yu, Dr. Zhang accompanies her by train to visit a mysterious place called Xan Hu where there is supposed to be a lake. It is poetically described by Chen Ching as an "enchanted celadon" and used as a metaphor for their love. To Zhou Yu's disappointment, there is no lake. The poetic imagery of the lake haunts her. Dr. Zhang tries to lift up her spirits and reassures her, "If it is in your heart it is real. If it is not, it never was." These soothing words are later spoken back to Dr. Zhang by Zhou Yu. They strike his heart with a bull's eye precision just as she intended. The entire film has an artistic dreamy quality. The scenery as viewed from the train is breath-takingly beautiful. Also, there are many subtle creative elements making it a pleasure to view again and again. One can miss so much with only one viewing due to the artistic quality of the film and possibly because of the translation from Chinese to English. The film explores the relationship called love by comparing and contrasting the practical vs imaginary, the real vs unreal, the romantic vs pragmatic through intense lyrical scenes which build up interest and intrigue. There is a surprise ending which is totally unexpected but very realistic. Erika Borsos (pepper flower)

I was quite surprised by this film to put it simply. The summary I had read about it made it sound like an interesting love story, when in actuality it was an epic journey into the mind. The love story is just a catalyst for the major point which is simply about how we fall in love. It examines the concepts of time, distance, separation, truth, and most importantly reality.The symbolism of this film reads like a classic chinese novel. Sometimes I felt like this movie played out like the reading of a novel. The timeline of the movie I feel was meant to be confusing. If you truly think about it once you've seen it, it makes perfect sense. Everything in this movie ultimately has and fulfills it's own purpose.You'll immediately fall in love with the films leading lady Li Gong. She is charismatic to say the least. Her presence on screen is indescribable. I found it very easy to connect immediately to her. I don't think this movie would have worked with someone else. She is personable enough to pull off such a deeply intense character.I know some people would find this movie a little slow, but if you can appreciate symbolism and can afford to take the time to really think about what the movie is really trying to say, then I fully believe you'll love it as much as I did.

There seems to be much confusion about Gong Li's dual role. Ihope this clears up some of the confusion. My spin is totally different. First of all, there was never a bus wreck. Chinese culture thinks and write in beautiful metaphors, and although her character did take the bus trip, it did not crash. The crash is however, the only way to describe her coming back a different and more mature person. She was no longer "floating", but more confident and sure of what she did not want. Basically, she did not want either of the two men she was hoping to find herself with. The most beautiful scene in the whole film is the end. After years of being tied to the rails, riding trains to meet her lovers, they show a Jeep Cherokee driving along side the train, only to turn away in a dramatic split and liberation from the rails, and her past. She does visit the poet, only to tell him esentially, do not look for Zhou Yu in me. The little girl was gone. She no longer needed the fantasy of him in her life. She found her own way.

This is not for those who do not appreciate art. This entire film was like watching a very very beautiful painting come to life.The story line traces a woman's passion for a poet as well as another man's passion for the woman, who doesn't really acknowledge his love.She is so full of the poet, that there is no room left for this man, a veterinarian. But his passion for her meets or exceeds that which she holds for the poet. As you watch, you develope understanding for each player. It's a great addition to an artistic film library.Favourite shots - her walking away from the camera, skirts swinging.

A young and beautiful woman named Zhou Yu paints pottery and takes long train trips that seem to lead nowhere. Her destination is another town where her lover lives. He is a poet who leaves her but she continues the train trips. Another man on the train takes an interest in her. At first she rejects him but later they become closer. The key to this movie is another woman who looks a lot like Zhou Yu and seems to be following her. This lookalike woman is always seen with a book of poetry and she is always alone. It is up to the viewer to decide what is real and what is fantasy.

This is a beautiful and haunting film. I enjoy watching it again and again because it makes me think in a way one does not normally think about characters. The sound track blends nicely with the energy of this movie. It has a bittersweet feel to it without being too heavy. I love this film and will continue to watch it often.

I give the film 4 stars but would give 5 stars for Gong Li's performance. This film does not have a really amazing story line like some of her films but is interesting as it has some Chinese poetry in it and makes reference to a famous Chinese poet so there is a small but interesting history/culture element to the film.

A great dvd, and it arrived on time.

My wife loves this film, though she is Chinese ! A bit of a chick flick !

I was put off buying this from reading a negative Amazon review. Thankfully I took a risk and did not live to regret it!!! Breath taking performances and a film that does not leave you. Excellent service, excellent value. Many many thanks!!!!!!

Great film. I enjoyed it very much .Good story.