Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Movie Film Analysis Free Video

Brief analysis and response to criticism of one of the best martial arts films, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by Ang Lee. Originally posted in 2000.

Jen
(Translated in ancient Chinese Character as Dragon, Lo as Tiger.)
Some have simplified Jen's character by calling her a spoiled brat who steals a sword. By paying attention to the details, a deeper, more complex character emerges. In the first scene, Jen is wearing a very traditional, formal Chinese outfit. The gown is confining - she can barely move. Her make up is delicately painted on like a doll, her hair is rigidly bound in an intricate arrangement. But her eyes are fanciful and curious. She is to be married to a man her family has chosen. She embodies, for many women, the daughter who is obligated to family and imprisoned by limited social roles.

Jen regards Shu Lien (Yeoh), the unmarried female warrior, as being free for her. Later in the movie, Shu Lien explains to Jen that she is not free, but also bound by social rules that keep her from being with Mubai (Fat).

Jen rebels, or has been rebelling as we find out. She has learned the ancient art of Wuxia and had runaway in the desert with the bandit, Lo. However, she’s returned to her family and plans to marry the man her parents have selected. When she has a chance, she steals Mubai’s sword, mostly for fun and to feel the danger a warrior might taste.

Jen has become a competent fighter but her youthfulness steers her to selfishness. She’s an angry, young woman with powers that surpass most men. At first, Jen mischievous behavior is justified by her situation. She eventually goes too far though, running away from her family and beating up men at a tavern. She is not restrained anymore.

Light & Dark
Ideas of good vs. evil are not as clearly defined as Western films. I have read complaints that the antagonist is a weak, old woman. Jade Fox, considered the antagonist killed MuBai’s master long ago, but she is not pure evil. She sought revenge for not gaining equal access to the all-male Wuxia temple. Jade Fox is a bitter and selfish woman symbolizing what Jen could become without the proper guidance. However, Fox is not central for the main characters to develop.

CTHD is more about internal struggles of light and dark. Mubai wants to give up his warrior days not only for a peaceful life, but because he’s seen a darkness inside him while meditating. Jen also is conflicted by her morals, never killing anyone but striking cowardly strikes Shu Lien. In the end, Jen’s behavior does cause the death of Mubai.

I have also read that if Mubai was a great warrior then why did he die. My theories are: He was not only protecting himself, but also Jen whom a dying Jade Fox reveals she wanted to kill. Plus Mubai had just “healed” the drugged up Jen, in taking some of the effects, dulling his senses.

The Ending.
Why does she jump? It’s the type of ending open to interpretation and probably disappointing to some. My view is that Jen had done too much damage. She caused the death of her “sister’s” love, Mubai and disgraced her family by refusing to marry. Jen had gone too far to return to a normal life and feel love like an innocent person. Was her most moral act of the movie to jump? SPOILER Remember Lo’s wish and the story of the boy jumping? In the sequel, Lo’s wish comes true. He and Jen are reunited in the desert and have a child who is switched at birth. The sequel is about their child looking for his parents. An aging Shu Lien is also involved and I could go on about what happens, but not now. And yes, Ang Lee has reportedly agreed to do the prequel about Mubai, Shu Lien and her fiancée.

The Flying.
When I first saw the film at Laemmle's Theater in Encino, California a few people complained about the flying as unrealistic - too much Peter Pan flying. What would movies be like without imagination, without seeing people do those things we only dream about. How boring! I love CTHD even more because of the flying. CTHD is a fairytale, it’s mesmerizing and awe inspiring. The scene in the bamboo forest is beautiful, a daring dance between pupil and teacher. She wildly tries to shake him off, he balances of the branches amused at her attempts. Partly, I think that it’s America’s view that other cultures are inferior including the way of telling a story.


Subtitles.
I like the Mandarin language spoken in the film, it gives the movie an even more mystical, fantastic feel.