The Grandmaster is a biopic that does what most biopic cannot do, become compelling cinema. It is director Wong Kar Wai’s return to the screen in six-year, his return to Chinese cinema in nine years, and his return to form in thirteen years. It is the story of Ip Man, famed martial artist of Wing Chun, and his journey from practitioner to teacher over the course of thirty years. The title The Grandmaster refers to Ip Man, but it could easily reflect some of the talent in front of and behind the camera. Writer/director Wong Kar Wai is master of Chinese cinema, helping to bring international attention to Chinese cinema with Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express, and In The Mood For Love. Tony Leung, himself a master actor, can convey more information and emotion with a simple look from his eyes than most can with an entire page of dialog. Zhang Ziyi has been at home in these martial arts films for years, and when given a chance, she too can transform into a beautiful and understated actress. Throw in martial arts choreography from the Yuen Woo Ping, and you got yourself one heck of a lot of masters.

Continue reading “THE GRANDMASTER”