Zhao shi gu er 2010

Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times: Perhaps it's all that armor, or that even the estimable Mr. Wang seems exhausted by the film's dolorous themes, but it's tough to care about characters who spend most of their lives obsessing over the violent deaths of others. Read more

Sam Adams, AV Club: Chen can't seem to decide whether he's making a fable or something more down-to-earth, but Sacrifice works either way, if not both at once. Read more

Mark Feeney, Boston Globe: Now who exactly are those two guys slurping noodles? Are they both doctors? Why do they matter? Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine) cowrote and directed, and his talent for psychological drama isn't really suited to this sort of broad, mythic storytelling. Read more

Maggie Lee, Hollywood Reporter: A classical historical drama of grand passions and humanity. Read more

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: It is handsomely done and well-acted, but it lacks real energy or purpose. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: In "Sacrifice," about a father who loses his son to the power of the state, it is difficult to miss the parallels with Chen's own life. Read more

David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle: It charges out of the gate in Indiana Jones style, employing so many plot twists that you may need a scorecard. Then after an hour or so, it settles into an intimate, character-driven drama, before its low-key yet thought-provoking finale. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: The film combines rip-snorting action, crisp editing and juicy performances in a thoroughly entertaining package. Read more

David Fear, Time Out: Kaige's historical epic favors drama over action (though he doesn't skimp on violence ...), yet everything moves like it's on wuxia autopilot. Read more

Leslie Felperin, Variety: An emotionally fertile exploration of paternal love and revenge. Read more

Nick Schager, Village Voice: Chen's 126-minute film is stuffed with twisty-turny machinations that are difficult to untangle and not especially important to the story at hand... Read more

Mark Jenkins, Washington Post: With its widescreen compositions and flame-illuminated interiors, "Sacrifice" is visually entrancing. Yet the movie is not just an exercise in style. Read more