Quitting (2001)
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77% of critics liked it
(44 reviews) -
83% of users liked it
(937 ratings)
Following up on his award-winning opus Shower, Zhang Yang directs this biographical film concerning and starring Chinese film icon Jia Hong-Sheng, who starred in such groundbreaking works as Suzhou River and Frozen. Following initial professional success, Jia falls into a spiral of depression and… More Following up on his award-winning opus Shower, Zhang Yang directs this biographical film concerning and starring Chinese film icon Jia Hong-Sheng, who starred in such groundbreaking works as Suzhou River and Frozen. Following initial professional success, Jia falls into a spiral of depression and drug abuse. Soon he drops out from Beijing's acting scene, withdraws from friends, and locks himself in his apartment listening to old records. His parents, who run a small theater troupe in a remote corner of Northeast China, are elated over their son's success but grow increasingly concerned with his anti-social behavior. Soon they, along with the entire population of the apartment building they live in, venture to Beijing hoping to get Jia out of his funk. Eventually, Jia is committed to a mental institution that makes the one in Titicut Follies look like a trip to Disneyland. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- R, 1 hr. 59 min.
- Directed By
- Yang Zhang
- Written By
- Huo Xin, Yang Zhang
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
- In Theaters
- Sep 13, 2002 Limited
- On DVD
- Mar 4, 2003
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
Critic Reviews
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Richard James Havis, Hollywood Reporter
Formally ambitious and emotionally engaging.
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Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Ultimately engages less for its story of actorly existential despair than for its boundary-hopping formal innovations and glimpse into another kind of Chinese 'cultural revolution.'
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Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Intriguing in concept ... [and] just as compelling in execution.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
A brave experiment.
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Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune
Daring and beautifully made.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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