Rent So Long, My Son (2019)

Powerful, understated drama - So Long, My Son review by PD

In a nutshell, this long (over 3 hour) film examines the lasting damage done by China’s one-child policy and the Cultural Revolution. The story is an intimate one, yet it embraces a large cast of characters who reflect the immense changes that have swept China over the last 50 years, and shows the resilience of those Chinese who lived through it all who were later able to recover their faith in life.

The entire film is cleverly constructed out of flashbacks to the 1970s and '80s that tell the characters’ backstories a little at a time. It can be a tad confusing at times (you feel the need to turn back the pages as it were) but, particularly the first half, in which we get to know the characters, is thoroughly engrossing, and the script can be forgiven for sometimes withholding crucial information until it's ready to divulge it. Whereas other films have revealed the horrors of the death camps and whatnnot, here the scenes set during the Cultural Revolution are relatively restrained - the film being more interested in showing the steep personal price individuals paid, which affected the rest of their lives. A powerful, understated piece.

A sad Chinese story - So Long, My Son review by DS

This is one of those worthy films one thinks one ought to see, showing the harsh impact of the one child policy on a well meaning couple of workers in the face of their more cynical and selfish friends who do more than go along with the regime. It is vivid picture of how people lived in China 30 years ago and perhaps many who cannot easily adapt still do. But it is slow and a little confusing with time changes which are not clearly indicated and I was more bored than entertained, and not very moved.

Memorable and moving - So Long, My Son review by JR

This three hour film follows the story of a couple surviving a terrible personal tragedy, and the astonishing and often brutal changes that have taken place in China over the past fifty years. The narrative is strong, but not chronological, and reveals the story bit by tantalising bit. It makes you work, but the rewards are great. It is very moving, sometimes puzzling, and the acting is wonderful. The cinematography is startlingly original and intimate.