Watch Electric Shadows
- NR
- 2004
- 1 hr 33 min
-
7.5 (1,073)
Electric Shadows is a Chinese drama film from 2004 directed by Xiao Jiang. The film tells the story of a young woman named Mao Dabing and her relationship with two men, Liu Jinglun and Li Yubin, living in a small town in China. The film begins in the present day, when Mao Dabing, now a successful theatre actress, returns to her hometown to attend her father's funeral. As she walks through the streets, memories of her past begin flooding back, taking her back to the time when she was a young girl who loved movies.
Mao Dabing's love for movies was kindled by her father, a projectionist at the town cinema. Every night, she would go to the cinema to watch movies, and her father would let her sit in the projection room and watch the films as he projected them onto the screen. It is during one of these screenings that she meets Liu Jinglun, a young man who is also passionate about movies.
Liu Jinglun is a film buff who owns a small video store in the town. He introduces Mao Dabing to the joys of watching movies on video, and they slowly begin a relationship. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Liu Jinglun is already engaged to another woman, a fact that Mao Dabing struggles to accept.
As Mao Dabing's relationship with Liu Jinglun becomes more complicated, she meets Li Yubin, a young man who shares her love of movies. Li Yubin is a local carpenter who builds Mao Dabing a wooden movie projector. Mao Dabing becomes fascinated by Li Yubin's passion for movies, and the two of them begin a friendship that is both innocent and intense.
As Mao Dabing's relationship with Liu Jinglun becomes more difficult, she turns to Li Yubin for support. However, their friendship is put to the test when Liu Jinglun is accused of stealing money from his workplace. Mao Dabing is torn between her love for Liu Jinglun and her growing feelings for Li Yubin. The events that follow test the relationships between these three characters, as well as the bonds of friendship, love, and family.
One of the main themes of Electric Shadows is the power of movies to bring people together and help them understand each other. The film's characters are all passionate about movies, and the movies they watch help them connect with each other on a deeper level. The film also explores the idea of memory and how it shapes our lives. Mao Dabing's memories of her childhood and her relationships with Liu Jinglun and Li Yubin are a powerful force in her life, shaping her decisions and her feelings.
The film is beautifully shot, with stunning landscapes and careful attention to details. The performances of the three main actors are also excellent, particularly Yu Xia as Mao Dabing. The film is a bittersweet love story, with moments of tenderness and moments of heartbreak.
Overall, Electric Shadows is an excellent film that explores the power of movies and the complexities of human relationships. It is a poignant and thought-provoking drama that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
Electric Shadows is a 2004 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 70.