Review: The Children of Huang Shi (2008)
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A film review by David N. Butterworth
Copyright 2008 David N. Butterworth
*1/2 (out of ****)
It doesn't seem all that long ago that the documentary "Nanking"
(which chronicled a harrowing chapter in Japan's occupation of China,
circa 1937) was released and here, already, is its large-scale,
real-life counterpart, a drama covering exceedingly similar events.
"The Children of Huang Shi" tells the true story of one George Hogg
(Jonathan Rhys Meyers), an inexperienced British journalist who smuggled
himself into the besieged city of Nanjing (with a j) to document
first-hand the atrocities being handed down to its Chinese citizenry.
Hogg is quickly rescued from inevitable execution at the hands of the
Japanese imperialists by partisan resistance leader Chen Hansheng (Chow
Yun-Fat) and sent to the northwest village of Huang Shi to convalesce
before moving on to the front.
Once there, Hogg (or "Pig" as his papers incorrectly identify him)
becomes reluctant mentor to a babble of Chinese orphans while arousing
the interest/ardor of Lee Pearson (Radha Mitchell), an American nurse
living and working in the region. Fortunately the fledgling writer can
distinguish between durum wheat and red lentils and with Pearson's
capable assistance, along with that of Hansheng, Hogg eventually leads
some 60 children to safety along China's spectacular yet treacherous
Silk Road.
The kids are all right but the flat romance between Hogg and
Pearson isn't worthy of our attention. If anything it detracts from the
true drama, one that has been seriously watered down by screenwriters
Jane Hawksley and James MacManus and director Roger Spottiswoode (who,
between you and me, seemed eminently more comfortable guiding the likes
of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone through
films like "The 6th Day," "Air America," and "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot").
While decently made and well intentioned (and other faint praises
that serve to damn it further), "The Children of Huang Shi" is a sugar
coated history lesson that plays like "The Sound of Music" without
Rodgers and HammersteināeTMs hum-able show tunes (at least that film *had*
songs, not to mention charm, staying power, and a few of my favorite
things--the best "'Huang Shi" has to offer up in that regard is a lonely
goat herd).
Rhys Meyers comes across as too clean cut for the lead, Mitchell
too pretty. Plus you've got the charismatic Chow Yun-Fat and the
enigmatic Michelle Yeoh as Madame Wang to contend with. Er, could we
get some *ugly* people here please! It's all too clean cut, in fact.
Too sterile. Too nicey-nice. Too climb-every-mountainous. It's turgid
and top-heavy. Worse still it's neither interesting nor engaging and
that's a crime, given the subject matter.
For a closer, more harrowing look at how war affects its terrible
toll on the innocent see the afore-mentioned "Nanking" (it's available
on DVD). Alternatively, rent 2000's "Into the Arms of Strangers:
Stories of the Kindertransport," a fascinating account of the relocation
of thousands of Jewish children from Germany into foster homes prior to
the start of World War II. And, of course, there's always Robert Wise's
OscarĀ(r) winner (with Julie Andrews' indomitable governess Maria) if
you're in the mood for something a tad lighter.
"'Huang Shi"'s children, alas, deserve better care.
--
David N. Butterworth, Film Editor
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