Mania Grade: C+
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- Blu-ray: Matrimony
- Rating: R
- Starring: Leon Lai, Fan Bing Bing, Rene Liu
- Written By: Jialu Zhang
- Directed By: Hua-Tao Teng
- Distributor: Tartan Asian Extreme
- Original Year of Release: 2007
- Extras: See Below
- Series:
Matrimony Blu-ray Review
Slow but subtle Asian haunting By
Tim Janson
August 15, 2011
The terrified women of Matrimony
© Tartan Asia Extreme
There’s no denying how popular Asian horror films have become over the past decade or so with films like Ju-on and Ringu but it’s beginning to look more and more like the Asian horror film is a one-trick pony. How many films about vengeful female ghosts can be made? Where are all the male ghosts? How about a werewolf, mummy, or masked serial killer? Something…anything to break up the monotony. To be fair, this Chinese produced film goes for a more stylized approach than the typical jump-out-of-your-seat moments like a lot of the J-horror films. This doesn’t make it better, but at the very least it’s something different.
Set in Shanghai of the 1930s Junchu (Hong Kong heartthrob Leon Lai) is a cinematographer who is on his way to propose to his girlfriend Manli (Fan Bingbing) when she is tragically killed in an auto accident. A distraught Junchu retreats into depression at his family’s secluded estate. He keeps Manli’s possessions in an attic where he often locks himself inside to brood. He’s taken a new wife in a marriage arranged by his wealthy mother. Sansan (Rene Liu) is sweet and shy and tries her best to make Junchu happy but he treats her little better than a servant.
One day Sansan finds a hidden key to the room and goes to explore. There she has her first encounter with Manli’s ghost. Manli desperately wants to touch Junchu again but he becomes ill when she is close. She makes a deal with Sansan to possess her body for a short time so she can touch Junchu again and in return, this will help Junchu fall in love with Sansan. At first the bargain works to both their benefits. But as Sansan becomes closer to Junchu, Manli becomes jealous, purposely making him sick and telling Sansan that she will only help is she can permanently take possession of her body. Sansan is faced with the difficult decision of losing Junchu, or losing her own identity to Manli’s ghost.
Director Hua-Tao Teng takes a far more subtle approach to his film than most Asian horror films, relying more on suspense and far less on shock value. The film is heavily influenced by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 thriller “Rebecca” but with a stronger supernatural element. But while building the film’s suspense he also brings the action to a crawl making the film seem much longer than 90 minute running time. His musical cue’s virtually give away the fact that something is about to happen. When Sansan first encounters Manli’s ghost there’s very little element of surprise or terror. It’s more like…”Oh! There’s the ghost of my husband’s deceased girlfriend. Guess I’ll talk to her.” On one hand…at least its not another water-soaked female spirit who walks with a twitch but it’s also not the least bit shocking either.
The performances are understated all around, seemingly by design by the director. Lai’s portrayal of the morose Junchu borders on the sleepy for much of the film’s first half. The two female leads are not much better. The most interesting character is Aunt Rong who stays at the house as cook and maid but also knows a thing or two about spirits. I wish we got to know a bit more about her character as she brings a good deal of energy to her performance.
Teng excels with his use of panoramic shots as the camera glides in and out and rotates for sweeping views. It’s one of the great attractions of Matrimony as is the catchy jazz-based musical score. Still, he may not really be to blame for the relatively docile film. Censors in China aren’t big on horror films to begin with and this might be as extreme as they can get.
DVD Extras
Interviews (52:00) there are nearly an hours worth of interviews with Teng as well as the cast members as they discuss the film and their individual roles.
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Well, you aren't looking if you think they are a one trick pony. They recycle the same amount of stuff we do it's just what we see or get over here that you're making this judgement on. I haven't seen this but I think I saw a preview but I'm not sure. But if you want to see a Hong Kong horror movie that was pretty dope check out Dream Home. It's on Netflix. The Asian one not the American one that is unrelated.