Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker (1995)

This is an initially fascinating but ultimately wearying tale of forbidden love along the Yellow River in turn-of-the-century China. Niu Bao (Wu Gang), a talented but immature artist, is hired by the heir of a fireworks empire to restore paintings in the family's grand factory-compound. Bao obliges the "master," who is actually a young woman named Chunzhi (Jing Ning). The film's inherent, powerful metaphors--a fireworks dynasty literally sitting on a massive powder keg, a violent river that isolates Chunzhi's citadel from the rest of the world--are tremendously compelling. By the middle of the script, however, there isn't much left to say about Bao and Zhi's doomed affair; yet director Ping He keeps saying it over and over again. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

A firecracker with a long fuse

One of the hazards of catching films at International Film Festivals is that what a lot of critics may consider artistic, I find dreary and pedantic. There are many critically acclaimed directors who seem to thrive on boring the audience to death.

But among the arty-farty films, there are a few that sticks in my mind and these I consider good. If years later I can still recall scenes and plots, I think the film has made an impact.

Firecracker is one such film for me. The pace is not blockbuster pacing, but the story is one of duty and obligation in conflict with passion and love; of the responsibility one has to one's family and the people who depend on the family, and one's desire to be free to pursue one's desire.

On the other hand is the story of one man reaching beyond his station, and being all he can or want to be. To reach for the unreachable and being willing to meet death or worse, for his dream.

The climax is explosive, but the fuse burns long.

And the denouement may not satisfy all (if you read the other reviews).

But 10 years or so after watching the movie, I still remember it fondly.

Not a Disney ending.

Now if only it weren't $155... January 25, 2008

A Firecracker of Any Other Color.....

One of my many recent excursions to the Foreign section at the video store found what I hoped would yet further encourage my new love for Chinese film. Not having much experience with them before, I was delighted that there was more to it than Bruce Lee. After saturating myself with Gong Li movies, I took home "Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker", and fell in love with it right up to the end. I felt I had been cheated, that it was a cop-out. Every time he went away, either she ran after him or he ran back to her. Cinematic, sensual, and romantic, this film still disappointed. There was no right answer for this couple's predicament, and there was no compromise... on anyone's part. I want to give this movie two ratings. For the entire movie up to the last four minutes, The movie can have 4 stars. For the ending, the movie can have 1 star. August 22, 2000

Confusion reigns..

The best aspect of this movie is the location and the scenery. Beautiful filming but a plot with too many blanks and questions. I won't give away the ending but it was stupid and by that time I didn't care what happened to the hero. I usually love Chinese dramas but this one missed with its plot of unrequited love being dragged out too long, and not making much sense. July 5, 2000

Breathtaking love story!

This a beautiful story of unrequited love,passion felt and denied,jealousy,rivalry,and sacrifice.The actress who played"The Master"brings an incredible sensitivity to her role.I felt for Niu Bao as he falls in love with the unattainable. My utter contempt for Mann grew with each passing moment! Well worth seeing again and again! April 30, 2000

Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker was a beautiful movie

It told a story of love lost in a way that makes everyone think about how it would be to live in those times and not be able to choose who you want to be with. November 7, 1999

More reviews at Amazon.com ...