Empire of Silver (2011)

53% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(290 ratings)

China, 1899. In a land of exquisite beauty and timeless tradition a hedonistic young man known as 'Third Master' is the heir to a banking empire he cares little about. However, after his brother's wife is kidnapped he reluctantly submits to the pressure of his title as well as his overbearing… More China, 1899. In a land of exquisite beauty and timeless tradition a hedonistic young man known as 'Third Master' is the heir to a banking empire he cares little about. However, after his brother's wife is kidnapped he reluctantly submits to the pressure of his title as well as his overbearing father, Lord Kang. Lord Kang is determined to prepare his son for financial leadership by molding Third Master into his own image. The ruthless businessman's unethical practices do not sit well with Third Master, who sees the salvation of his country in the redistribution of its massive silver cache. The tense relationship is further complicated by Third Master's undying love for his beautiful young stepmother, his first and only love stolen from him by his own father. The fate of the country and it's most powerful family now lies with one idealistic young man torn between the needs of the people, the greed of his father, and the undying love of woman. -- (C) NeoClassics

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Christina Yao
Written By: Christina Yao, Cheng Yi
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Jun 3, 2011 Limited
Studio: NeoClassics Films

Critic Reviews

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Though written too broadly to serve as the powerful allegorical tale writer/director Christina Yao intends, this historical epic is just compelling enough to be taken on its own terms.
Mark Jenkins, Washington Post
Occasionally muddled and always melodramatic, yet it's pictorially compelling, thanks to dramatic locations and exacting art direction.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Makes for unwieldy melodrama, rather than the enthralling epic it might have been.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
[A] weirdly engaging tale of banking and bad behavior...
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Epic in sweep and scale and packs in enough incident to cover two "Godfather" movies.
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
It's decent, exoticized pulp with a porcelain veneer, and should be consumed idly.
Don Groves, sbs.com.au
Unwieldy Chinese melodrama shows money can't buy love.
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
The complicated romance that punctuates the story adds spice (and a twist), but it's a film essentially about the banking family and their machinations at a time of rapid change in China
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
What, if anything, the film's final burst of idealism offers universally is hard to say. But it feels good to see in these acrimonious days.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
High production values, gorgeous sets and costumes, excellent lighting and cinematography, plus the spirited playing of Aaron Kwok as the Third Master.
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
Handsome Chinese costume actioner mixing power struggles, financial crises and romance a century ago may impress American audiences, but story overkill and subtleties of Chinese culture and history confound.
Brent Simon, Shockya.com
A beautiful but stolid, screamingly boring period piece with acting so wooden as to invite unfavorable comparison to a collection of popsicle sticks.
Ethan Alter, NYC Film Critic
Handsomely mounted and packed with interesting historical details, Empire of Silver unfortunately falls short on providing emotionally rich drama
Marshall Fine, Hollywood & Fine
A dazzlingly visual film, one marked by a thoughtful approach to a tale of business and interpersonal intrigue.
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
Stateliness begets inertia in Empire of Silver, a turn-of-the-century Chinese epic whose reserved tone and regal atmosphere is suffocating.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Sheldon C

Impressive visuals and great production design are unfortunately overshadowed by a convoluted plot that struggles to depict its story - a narrative that starts strong but deteriorates as it attempts to balance too many emotional stakes for its own good while including one (or two) too… More
Impressive visuals and great production design are unfortunately overshadowed by a convoluted plot that struggles to depict its story - a narrative that starts strong but deteriorates as it attempts to balance too many emotional stakes for its own good while including one (or two) too many scenes that unintentionally call attention to itself. This debut feature, however, shows promise for writer/director Christina Yao as it consists of stunning locations and sweeping camera moves and proves that she is not afraid to touch upon tough subject matters that are rather difficult to film.