Beijing, 1902: an enterprising young portrait photographer named Liu Jinglun, keen on new technology, befriends a newly-arrived Englishman who's brought projector, camera, and Lumière-brothers' shorts to open the Shadow Magic theater. Liu's work with Wallace brings him conflict with tradition and his father's authority, complicated by his falling in love with Ling, daughter of Lord Tan, star of Beijing's traditional opera. Liu sees movies as his chance to become wealthy and ... (Full plot summary below)
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Beijing, 1902: an enterprising young portrait photographer named Liu Jinglun, keen on new technology, befriends a newly-arrived Englishman who's brought projector, camera, and Lumière-brothers' shorts to open the Shadow Magic theater. Liu's work with Wallace brings him conflict with tradition and his father's authority, complicated by his falling in love with Ling, daughter of Lord Tan, star of Beijing's traditional opera. Liu sees movies as his chance to become wealthy and worthy of Ling. When the Shadow Magic pair are invited to show the films to the Empress Dowager, things look good. But, is disaster in the script? And, can movies preserve tradition even as they bring change?
Leave your thoughts about Shadow Magic.
| Washington PostStephen HunterSumptuous, warm, continually amazing, it's a completely enjoyable couple of hours at the flickers. |
| Reel.comTor ThorsenIt's predictable, sentimental, and more than a little nostalgic. Yet it's also quite endearing, growing on you like a warm, fuzzy, fungus until you're overpowered by its affection and innocence. |
| CompuserveHarvey S. KartenA thrilling experience, a history lesson for those who don't like history as well as those who are intrigued by the past. |
| Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam ArnoldNever quite builds the compulsive emotional power it needs to be an unforgettable personal drama. |
| Boxoffice MagazineKevin CourrierObviously a labor of love for the director, but it fails to stoke imagination. |
| NewsdayJan StuartJared Harris and Xia Yu give appealingly energetic performances. |
| Apollo GuideRyan CracknellIn her debut film, director and producer Ann Hu creates a beautiful world with strong characters, both main and supporting. |
| Dallas Morning NewsCharles EalyMakes us appreciate what today's audiences take for granted: the miracle of the cinema. |
| IFilmDave WhiteInteresting story. Too bad this movie takes that premise and purees it into a mushy East-meets-West tale of conflict, prejudice and personal triumph. |
| Palo Alto WeeklyJeanne Aufmuthresonates with modern values but maintains its old world charm |
