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Some of the over the top acting can put some people off which is understandable but I believe that just adds more of the historical feel to this type of ancient folklore story. This movie's setting is all taken place in a fictional setting with myths and folklore embedded in it and this type of acting, to me, is meant to bring out more of the historical feeling to these ancient folklore characters. The overly theatrical acting in this movie was so unique to witness and I loved it.
The cinematography and music really exemplify the ancient folklore setting that the movie is trying to portray. I really felt like I was in a mythical world while watching this movie. The ambiance of every scene was incredible. The beautiful traditional Chinese music just adds more of the historical feel this movie has.
This movie talks about ethics and morals by giving us human characters and demons communicating with other interchangeably. You start to see the deeper picture of our own morals in the world of what we consider right and wrong. Another strong theme implemented in this movie is love. The main characters go through a big trial one after another just to go through this journey of experiencing love. In the end, you realize how the humans and demons in this movie think about their own values with what is ethically right or wrong along with the idea of what love actually is. Every character has their own purpose in the beginning and seeing all their lives intertwine with each other will open your mind more about the world we live in.
Overall, I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking to be introduced to a movie with ancient Chinese folklore. This movie may be old and very aberrant than your typical movie but it's truly a jewel that's still hidden and deserves to be seen more.
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An ethereal tapestry
Upon this ancestral stage, even the most virtuous are drawn in by the temptations of Maggie Cheung and Joey Wong. A rich ethereal tapestry of stunning colour, kitsch illusionism and slow-motion eroticism, Green Snake has been on my radar for a while now but little prepared me for how vividly imaginative it would end up being. A profound metaphor for the frailties of humanity and the fallacy of religion, Tsui Hark's take on the White Snake folk tale left him plenty of time to ruminate on what would happen post-1997. The snakes are depicted as creatures simply seeking to live their lives in the human world, but they face denial and persecution from strict societal norms and overzealous individuals enforcing the so-called "natural order." The primary enforcer of these rules is devoted monk, Fa-Hoi, who is also shown to be just as susceptible to desire, anger, and even hypocrisy as the snakes. While the snakes seek love, family, and hope, Fa-Hoi and his Buddhist enforcers are denying the very humanity that they claim to be upholding. Fate, love, sex, hate, religion and desire all play a role in eventually bringing down the world the two snakes attempt to build. The allegory here is obvious, Fa-Hoi’s large red surplice only means one thing: China. Beyond the film's fangs with its messaging, it's directed with all of Tsui's usual flair for the kaleidoscopic that's part art-house wuxia, part softcore smut but all beauty. Bringing weight to the proceedings are fantastic performances from its central trio with Maggie Cheung and Joey Wong turning in gorgeous performances as the sister snakes, while Vincent Zhao gets an equal opportunity to shine when the two ladies aren't bathing in the limelight. The art direction, outstanding musical score and beautiful costume design all add to the spectacle, really I only have slight niggles with the hilariously charming rubber snakes and horrendous early CGI which are thankfully kept to a minimum, other than that, Green Snake is a must-watch.Was this review helpful to you?
White Snake and Green Snake: Retelling of a classic by a Master Fimmaker of Hong Kong cinema
If you grew up with the classic legend of Madame White Snake, Tsui Hark’s vision here is a refreshing arresting remake of that story involving the same characters. Based on the post-modern take of author Lilian Lee with the same name for her novel, the movie explores contentious themes and makes one consider humanity more deeply.Two snake spirits in the Southern Song Dynasty finally leave the purple bamboo forest to live as humans. When seen through the eyes of Green Snake in this movie, certain deviations from the classic legend become understandably natural. Fat-hoi is not an old monk but a young handsome man who has become one with Buddha. Scholar Hsui Xien of the West Lake has two flaws which become impossible to ignore by the end of this tale. Green Snake and White Snake as individuals and as sisters are the pivotal relationship affecting their choices, once a certain conflict becomes unavoidable. Changes in the two main male characters contribute significantly to improving the plot and lessons of this retelling.
Tsui Hark also brings to life important elements and dimensions to the supernatural spirits (妖) and humans (人) in this movie, whereby knowing the differences and fundamentals for the four classes of 神人鬼妖 is necessary to understanding Fat-hoi's perspective in what he chooses to do within the first 7 minutes of this movie. Being human does not equate to being more morally righteous. An animal spirit cultivating and learning to be a human is about accepting what to do with limbs you are not used to, understanding emotions, seeing different perspectives from a very different world, and trying to decide how to act like a human. Humans do not necessarily understand emotions better than animals or supernatural spirits, especially love pertaining to different types of relationships.
In this wonderful retelling to transform what I grew up with, the relationship of White Snake and Hsui Xien finds a natural outcome. The relationship of changes between White Snake and Green Snake also intersects with that outcome, understandably through Green Snake making certain choices due to circumstances beyond her control but she must face. Who is the wiser sister? Were Hsui Xien’s choices correct? Is fate fair to all of them?
Karma and debt reach an understanding in poignant consequences and self-realisation. With limited screentime, Tsui Hark remarkably weaves and demonstrates the flaws and perspectives of relationships between Green Snake and White Snake, White Snake and Hsui Xien, Hsui Xien and Green Snake, plus Fat-hoi and Green Snake. Each character manages to grasp epiphanies, but at what cost?
Tsui Hark is a very talented storyteller and does not shy away from demonstrating certain elements and rawness, be it ugly or flawed or pitiful or enchanting. His grasp of the classic legend plus Lilian Lee's version, while deftly incorporating various topics such as Taoism, Buddhism and Chinese mythology is what enables this masterpiece. The end result is a touching unforgettable story of what could have been and how to look back at what has gone before. You, the viewer, are there in the moments with the characters and yet, you are not visible to them. There is no over-acting. The main cast and secondary characters have brought to life a story that would be portrayed exactly in this manner, if it were true in those times.
The soundtrack is a wonderful accompaniment to the scenery and story, lyrics rich in meaning. The art director, martial arts directors, and production sound mixers have helped to breathe life into a tale that I did not know I wanted for Madam White Snake (but I had always wanted a different version more encompassing and different for characters such as Green Snake), until I saw this in the late 90s..Tsui Hark allowed the main set to be wall-less. Gauzy fabrics were utilised. The art director and costume designer understood what he was going for. To portray the flowing changes of mood and atmosphere within the abode where the two snake sisters live including sensuality, the residence was based on Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty paintings, corridors and columns and gauzy fabrics able to create the necessary changes as per the story.
Peking Opera’s lead female role Qingyi was central to the clothing and costume designs for the two sisters. The actor for Hu Hsien was also trained in classical Peking Opera.
The English subtitles are very decent.
That said, the sets may have aged poorly if you expect the standards of modern special effects and technology. These sets capture a specific timeframe of nostalgia and beauty for me, and can be revisited in 4K restored version of the movie. Joey Wong embodies Bai Suzhen for Lilian Lee's novel brought to life, by turns innocent and wise and seductive. Maggie Cheung as the younger snake sister is transformational, aptly portraying Green Snake's learning, temper, bluntness, and attempts at being a proper human.
The impact of this iconic movie by Tsui Hark can be seen in the dramas of certain producers such as Guo Jing Ming, whereby a certain scene in episode 30 of the 2024 drama Fangs of Fortune is literally inspired by the final scene of this movie. There are other elements of this movie also inspirational and seen in that drama series, but that is not the point of this review.
Tsui Hark’s works such as the 1983 Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain and the 1992 New Dragon Gate Inn always contain vital lessons and elements guaranteed to make you think, haunting you long after the credits have rolled. This love of labour is no different, as seen in the final twenty seconds of the movie.
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