Title: "Flowers": Understand Wong Kar-wai's triple rivers and lakes, and don't get lost in word-of-mouth.
On the day of the broadcast, "Flowers" swept the screen, just like the domineering of Mr. Bao, CCTV and Dragon TV were staged together, and the two versions of Mandarin and Shanghai dialect competed. The plot, like the legend of Mr. Bao, has caused heated discussions and controversy. Wong Kar-wai directed a TV series for the first time, and the luxurious lineup was created, but there were many differences in word-of-mouth. Whether it is a collapse or a peak, the key is to understand the three layers of subtle narrative.
Audiences who like Wong Kar-wai's style will be deeply attracted by "Flowers", from the picture, rhythm to the overall atmosphere, it is full of Wong Kar-wai's movie style. The picture is exquisite, like a work of art, and every frame is an intoxicating landscape. In terms of narrative, it is a display of cinematic techniques, skillfully using flashbacks, reverse order, and narration in Hu Ge's voice to advance the plot layer by layer. However, viewers with bad reviews accused the plot of being exaggerated and ignorant, and even criticized Wong Kar-wai for filming art paintings rather than TV dramas. This polarized word-of-mouth is precisely because of Wong Kar-wai's unique narrative style.
However, to understand "Flowers", you can't get caught up in word-of-mouth controversy, but you have to deeply analyze the three exquisite narratives in the play. First of all, Wong Kar-wai tries to present his vision of Shanghai, which may not be accurate, but at least it cannot be said badly. Through the lens of the Peace Hotel and a group of people on the beach in Shanghai, he carefully created the atmosphere of the time in terms of clothing, makeup and hair, and character temperament. Even though it is difficult for Hong Kong directors to accurately represent Shanghai in the 90s, they have succeeded in outlining the style of that era through elements such as landmark buildings and neon-lit hotel signs.
Secondly, as the main theme, "Flowers" shows the business war in the initial stage of the business war scene. Compared with the movie, Wong Kar-wai pays more attention to the narrative in this creation, and through the fast-paced and compact plot, he successfully shows the ups and downs and treacherous side of business wars. Mr. Bao's journey from self-made to becoming an investment tycoon is fascinating enough in just four episodes. In this process, the plot reflects the theme of the changing times and digging deep into the willfulness, allowing the audience to feel the changes in society while fighting in business.
In the end, Wong Kar-wai skillfully used martial arts style to create a fashion version of Shanghai Tang. Character building and character relationships seem to be a big drama of legendary martial arts. Mr. Bao went from a nameless boy to Mr. Bao, who everyone admired, experienced the test of **, completed a series of tasks, and finally successfully rose. This kind of martial arts film technique is also reflected in business wars, and the contest between masters and ordinary masters, every scene is a wonderful scene.
To appreciate "Flowers", you must understand and follow the context and narrative style of this drama. Be patient and stick to the first 20 minutes, and you can gradually get better. Word-of-mouth may be polarized, but if you really understand these three levels, I believe you will have a more rational and objective evaluation of "Flowers". Whether you like it or criticize it, the core theme of "Flowers" is Wong Kar-wai's unique presentation of Shanghai, the main theme in the business war scene, and the legend of martial arts. In this flowery world, we may be able to see more wonderful dramas, be patient, stay tuned.