"The Palace" is about two friends Chen Xing and Lui Li, who are palace maids, and their relationships with the 13th Prince. This movie is mainly about Friendship, Loyalty, Betrayal and Love. There is also misundertandings and a stealed identity.
One character turns into a mischievous and schemeful woman that betrays those who trust her. I like how they explain the origin of her behaviour - she wanted to have power and freedom in a place and period where she is fated to serve others.
Another character is portrayed as a pure and innocent woman who stays true to her love and friendships. She tends to make sacrifices and resign to her fate. Sometimes I was annoyed about this while other times amazed.
I liked the evolution of the characters and the contrast between them, but I would have liked some mixings. Not black and white characters but grey characters. Even so, I think that the fact that they are black and white makes the story more epic and memorable.
What I loved most was the photography. All scenes were recorded beautifully and each frame is like a photo itself. Great casting and costums.
I think "The Palace" should be more popular. I haven't watched any of the dramas named "The Palace" that are set in the same years so I don't know if the storyline is very similar or not.
I recommend this movie.
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Every time I watch it, I get the feeling of reading a book by the window while listening to the melodious sound of raindrops kissing the roof, the ground and everything it touches. When I watched it on TV with my mom a few days ago, I realized that it isn't something enjoyed with company. Just like when in that precious moment of a good book by the window and the rain plus the aroma of coffee, interruptions are unwelcomed and company are annoyance.
I read somewhere that this got a Chinese version of a Razzie, but I am not convinced at all. I mean, WHY?
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This review may contain spoilers
"If you keep on believing, the dream that you dream will come true." -Cinderella
Two of my favorite Chinese actresses, Zhou Dong Yu and Zanilia Zhao starred in The Palace. More Cinderella fairytale than actual historical tale but entertaining nonetheless.Chen Xiang and Liu Li came to the palace as 13 year-old girls to serve as maids and became fast friends. Chen Xiang lost her earring in an abandoned garden on her first day, think Chekov's gun or Cinderella's slipper. Quickly fast forwarded 7 years, the two turned into Dong Yu and Zanilia, now twenty-year-olds still prone to giggling and screaming. Each had their dreams of winding up with a handsome prince no matter how remote the possibility. But in fairytales even remote possibilities can become reality. Chen Xiang met the 13th Prince once again in the abandoned garden only this time she wore a scarf over her face as they had a chaste memorable time. Liu Li, uh, banged into the nefarious 9th Prince. Before you could say mistaken identity the 13th Prince and Liu Li were to be married. Chen Xiang found herself becoming her friend's servant while Liu Li turned into a wicked stepsister to keep their secret.
Chen Xiang was the childlike, virginal, self-sacrificing heroine complete with a repertoire of giggles and screams. Liu Li with her lusty desires for sex and power went from fast friend to Fast Times at Ridgemont High turning evil at the drop of her clothes. There was never much of a reason for Chen Xiang to keep her secret other than to be the traditional martyr and long suffering heroine. I wasn't crazy about the portrayal of the young women. In this fairytale all women were considered pretty much alike and were designed to please men in order to have any security, which given the times probably wasn't too far off the mark. There was no shortage of examples of what happened to maids or concubines who failed to please. The fact that the 13th Prince couldn't tell them apart reinforced their interchangeable nature.
The costumes and sets were luxurious, with mood fitting lighting and exquisite cinematography. Every shot was beautifully framed. No pumpkin coach or mice, but there was a stunning CGI dragon and lots of luminescent butterflies. The actors were cornered into stereotypical roles but still managed to bring their characters to life.
Once the movie got past the giggling, so much giggling, it became more enjoyable for me, even when it dipped into melodrama and political intrigue. Being a fairytale all that mattered was the romance and Chen Xiang winning the Prince's heart through her kind and selfless acts. But it was a Chinese fairytale so that meant being able to avoid being beheaded, beaten to death or exiled in the process.
9/5/22
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I was surprised to see Zhao Li Ying as the female villain; a two-faced, manipulative servant who rises above her station. Her character's fate was also not surprising. The ending was happy, but one wonders if it was the FL's wishing thinking. Her hallucinations or visions might equate to daydreaming. I thought the female lead actress was weak. Her character was weak, so it was perfect casting. I liked the actor who played Thirteenth Prince, and recognized his name.
The music and editing were well done. The story flowed from beginning to end, with some unnecessary flashback filler. The historical costume C-drama production teams should use this as a benchmark for drama time management.
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This review may contain spoilers
I watched this on YT on one of the Chinese Movie Channels, I was first skeptical about this. The movie is the story of two maids who entered to palace as a child. Chen & Liu quickly became friends and they promise each other to be there for each other. Chen has a different personality comparing to Liu, While Liu is more kind, soft hearted, helpful, Chen is the opposite.
The story is about the relationship of two friends with the 13th Prince
Chen betrays her friend for power, she didn't want to stay in the palace forever and be a maid.
On her way to power Chen not only took her friend Liu's identity she also had an affair with the 4th Prince thinking she could be one of his favourite ladies. While being married to 13th prince this affair continued.
When the 13th Prince was going through hardship it was Liu who was there for him.
it's a happy ending but I didn't like the rushed ending.
It was a pleasant watch, I didn't fast forward or skipped any scene, at the end it was not bad.
I suppose this movie inspired Scarlett Heart and the other palace movies...
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This Movie is a pleasant drama break.
Well, this is a bold shot at classic Chinese film making. Have a wonderfully alluring story with a soft and sweet beginning, a challenging and complicated middle and a captivating ending, all keeping you glued to your seat. Take a visit with me to the ancient Qing Dynasty and share an endearing love story.The movie The Palace begins with little girls being selected to serve in the palace as maids, as they are frightened into submission for easy training. There is much court intrigue and mischief. This is a well written simple story, which does not use sword fighting, twirls and thrills, and big movements to drive up entertainment value. The movie The Palace simply uses character study as fine art to give balance to the story, as you are drawn in and become fully invested into the lives and outcomes of the characters.
The story takes place during the peaceful reign of China’s longest serving Emperor, Shengzu or Kangxi Emperor of Qing (1654-1722), third Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. The Palace is about the ambitions of two little girls who want to control their destinies.
A caution to the viewer. This movie is rated PG 13. However, there are two racy scenes in The Palace, which should bring the rating of this movie up to a strong PG 14, but these scenes are done tastefully.
Actors Corner
Movie actress Zhou Dongyu (Under the Hawthorn Tree) as Chen Xiang, Chen Xiao as Yin Xiang (Legend of Lu Zhen), and Zhao Li Ying as Lui Li (Boss and Me).
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Sincerety and kindness beat the devil in somebody
I lost counting how many times I watched this movie. I watched this in the year 2014 in Red Channel HBO where every C - and K-dramas have been shown.What's important is its brilliant plot where the kindness and sincerity of the FL are showing: where the evil of greediness and cunning mind are shown n the 2nd ML ; where the true feeling is shown in the heart of ML.
The cast were all great. They delivered their acting on-pointly. I was impressed with their acting performance.
Plus the cinematography is so perfect. The lights; the cinematic color. I love watching movies and dramas with great cinematic color.
So gonna conclude this movie a very perfect one. Watch and rewatch!
PS: I started my admiration to Chen Xiao because of this movie. And started to believe Zhao Liying acting ability because of this. For Zhou Dong Yu - she has been my forever princess in C-Ent. I treasure her with Shawn Duo after I watched the movie Under the Hawthorn Tree.
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You would watch again in time
This i one of the costume period film you would rewatch after a time. The story is a common reality problem we encounter in our lives, where someone else’s takes credit of what we achieve or sacrificed for. The script is well written the fact that it can be made jnto a movie of less than two hours. The portrayal is not overly made that villains takes all the scenes . The director showed the ability of the cast in their mildest yet enticing way. Every scene i very important to concentrate to watch since the lines of the conversations are related strongly to what will happen. In my opinion not all films are that precise. Thus making this a must watch one. Well it wont be in the festival if it ain't good , right?Was this review helpful to you?
