bearofmcc I'm disappointed in IMDb's tone-deafness in listing the Chinese names in reverse order, Westernized with family names last. For example, world famous, remarkable actress Gong Li is inexplicably listed here as Li Gong.The film itself, by great director Zhang Yimou (not Yimou Zhang), is a powerfully intimate story of a family broken by the Cultural Revolution. It offers just enough subtle orientation to facts and culture to draw me into the core of its story about three people struggling to sort our pain and confusion. It's a very beautiful and painful film.

LisbethXY "Coming Home" may not be deep in plot; but, the emotions are sincere and very touching. In it's nature, amnesia is tragic and any story that involves it will most probably evoke sadness, despair, and empathy not just towards the character who has it but also the people around him/her. The movie did this very well. Characters and scenes are well-developed.One thing that makes the story compelling is the background layer of the Cultural Revolution. It put the three main characters in difficult situations and distant relationship. It caused a girl, who grew up without a father by her side, to betray her very own father. It caused a woman to live a different life- a life without the man who she loves so much. It made her break "rules". And, it caused a man, who longed to see his family after a very long time, to escape a strict and unfair "authority".It's a story about forgiveness. It's about hope. It's about the struggle of accepting the things you don't want to happen. It's a heartfelt relatable family drama that draws emotions from difficult deep experiences in life.Gong Li's performance is exceptional. Actors playing the other two main characters are great as well. It's a well-edited film with just the right pace.

thelioniswatching It's been 20 years since Zhang's TO LIVE was banned in China, the director and female lead prohibited from speaking about it and were forbidden from working for 2 years. And it's been 15 years since Zhang withdrew his films from Cannes in the aftermath of the continuing debate as to whether his films are pro or anti government.I can't think of another director whose work is subject to as much scrutiny regarding their political leanings.If you are looking for an overt criticism of the Cultural Revolution, then this film won't satisfy. What we have is a simple story, less obvious and more oblique, but still emotional and powerfully moving.It's a tender story of a man trying to reconnect with his amnesiac wife and estranged daughter through a series of small but heart-felt gestures.The thought that struck me during the final scene, watching an elderly couple - Feng Wanyu and Lu Yanshi, waiting for the husband to come home, was that not only might he never come back, but the 20 years that kept them apart would NEVER come back. And that's a pretty strong indictment of a troubling period in China's history.

Depp Zhang The movie is moving,it conveys such emotions we are losing now.it seems that Yimou Zhang has critical thinking about that period history of 1970s.I don't know how many films Zhang used the stories of the period ,but here Coming Home a new one,an awesome one! Gong Li and Chen Daoming's performance is wonderful,they truly expressed the emotions two lovers should have. When the movie was on,it got good reviews and was highly recommended! It worth it! The main audience are the old who experienced the history. Maybe Zhang hopes more young go to watch the movie ,because he wants people born in nearly years to know the story and get something from it and remember . I think we should get to know the history and remember it