This is a movie about China in the 1980's, thus the mood is dark and gloomy. Although the father dreams of going to Shanghai for a "better life for his family", he, himself is an authoritarian father and husband. All of the characters, including the father, are victims of a repressive society. The story deals with young people longing for relationships, unrequited love, forced marriage, rape, and abuse, all of which are heavy themes. It is realistically portrayed and really gives you a heavy feeling. It is more a statement of how the people reflect the restrictive culture of their time. It made me thankful I did not live there then. Although I enjoy movies about Chinese culture, I could not rewatch this. It was just too real and scary.