krycek19 This is a really boring and probably unrealistic movie.I don't believe the Chinese authorities would treat a foreign man accused of murder like they do i in this film. They would not refuse him to speak to an official from the US Embassy and they would not refuse him a lawyer from his own country. This is just a typical prejudicial way to represent China in American movies.That having been said I've never seen a movie before with such a promising premise, being made so utterly boring.Geres character is not very likable from the start so as an audience we really don't care what happens to him. We don't get to know him at all before he is arrested and he is acting completely irrational several times during the trial. The worst moment in his movie is when he, after having successfully escaped and gotten to the US embassy, out of some misguided stupid loyalty to his Chinese lawyer,gives himself up again to the Chinese authority, knowing they will shoot him even though he is innocent. At that point I was thinking: this guy is a moron with a death wish, just shoot him already so the movie can end. And during his escape he can outrun and out-bike-ride armed men, some of the on motorcycles. Give me a break.Don't waste time on this crap unless you have trouble sleeping. In that case this movie is the perfect sleeping pill.The

thinker1691 This is one of those average films one does not expect to have much substance. Unexpectedly though, director Jon Avnet and a script by Robert King provide the basis for a surprising hit. The essence of this film is called " Red Corner " and tells the story of an American businessman and attorney Jack Moore (Richard Gere) who visits China to broker a satellite communication's deal with up and coming Chinese businessmen. However, Mr. Moore has the unfortunate luck to make enemies out of unscrupulous executives.They set him up with a sexy Chinese girl who returns to his hotel room, where both strip, make love, get drunk and pass out. The following morning, Jack is accosted, arrested and imprisoned for the brutal murder of the girl. Unaware of Chinese criminal procedures, the accused has little to expect, except that execution is swift if he confesses. Pleading Not Guilty is not an option and is fully explained by his court appointed attorney Shen Yuelin (Ling Bai). Together they face an up hill battle to prevent his execution and prove his innocence. Versitle actor (West Wing) Bradley Whitford) plays a U.S. consulate friend. The movie itself is filled with dark drama, exciting realism, scary prison scenes and brutality. Gere is incredible as he portrays a man on the brink of death trying to exonerate himself from a twisted government where friend and foe alike wear the same color hat. Terrific movie. ****

rps-2 This film was interesting for me because I had been in China last year. I must say I was surprised to learn that most of it actually was done on a California set. (Maybe that explains why there was no smog. Bejing is seldom free of it.) I also like Richard Gere. But come on guys... The plot is pretty far fetched. I know nothing about Chinese courts. But it's unlikely there is much in the way of Perry Mason law or that a Chinese judge would be intimidated by or even allow American style courtroom histrionics. The mandatory Hollywood "humping scene" is about ten minutes into the film. But it serves a purpose inasmuch it anchors the subsequent plot. Interesting? Yes. Exciting? It has its moments and you just know that in addition to the mandatory "humping scene" there would be a mandatory "high speed chase." There is... With a bike and with a sprint across the roofs. It's an okay movie. But there are too many holes in the plot, too many stereotyped Chinese characters and too little understanding of Chinese culture in which losing one's temper is an unforgivable loss of face.

whpratt1 This film held my interest because of the great acting by Ling Bai,(Shen Yuelin),"Edmond",'05, who is a very educated Chinese lawyer and is placed in a very difficult situation in having to defend Richard Gere,(Jack Moore), "Unfaithful",'02, who is also another lawyer from the United States. Jack Moore gets himself in a very bad situation with a young Chinese woman, he some what falls in love with this gal on first sight and winds up in bed with her and all kinds of problems seem to happen. Jack wakes up and can't remember very much of anything that seemed to have occurred with this young gal and winds up being thrown into jail and having to live like a pig in horrible conditions. Richard Gere and Ling Bai are a great combination, however, the film is rather long and drawn out and intends to become a bit boring.