Snow Flower And The Secret Fan

Snow Flower And The Secret Fan (2011)

  • 20% of critics liked it
    (86 reviews)

  • 47% of users liked it
    (5,696 ratings)

In 19th-century China, seven year old girls Snow Flower and Lily are matched as laotong - or "old sames" - bound together for eternity. Isolated by their families, they furtively communicate by taking turns writing in a secret language, nu shu, between the folds of a white silk fan. In a parallel… More

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PG-13, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By
Wayne Wang
Written By
Angela Workman, Ronald Bass, Michael Ray, Lisa See
Genres
Art House & International, Drama
In Theaters
Jul 15, 2011 Limited
On DVD
Nov 1, 2011
Fox Searchlight

Critic Reviews

  • Tom Long, Detroit News

    It's a coordinated, stylish dance, but the steps are awfully familiar.

  • Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader

    In this lavish adaptation of Lisa See's novel, the complex chronologies of the parallel narratives are skillfully handled by director Wayne Wang, which makes his reliance on unbridled sentimentality all the more irritating.

  • Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

    "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" aims for the heartstrings and only strikes a few notes.

  • Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic

    The film is visually sumptuous but emotionally inert. It never draws in the viewer.

  • Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

    It's the No-Joy, Bad-Luck Club.

Read all 25 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Bruce B


    For Me to review this film isn't fair as its an Asian chick flick, so my rating would be much lower then most females. It is a interesting story about two girls who both modern day and very far back in the past who are morally bound to each other. Lacks the detail of costume that… More

  • Tired of P


    Directed by Wayne Wang, IDG China Media & Fox Searchlight Productions, 2011. Starring Bingbing Li, Gianna Jun and Hugh Jackman. Genre: Drama, History Question: Do you share a lifelong friendship with someone - a friendship that makes your life better, helps you through the… More

  • Dannielle A


    With a name like "Snow Flower And The Secret Fan," I just had to see this movie! I'm very glad I did. I'm surprised 80% of critics didn't like it. I seemed to me like one of those movies the general public wouldn't go crazy for for but the critics would… More

  • Panta O


    Only four people on Tuesday afternoon in Xi'an cinema wasn't a good sign for heavily advertised movie in China. I am glad that wasn't a sign of anything else than rainy day... This very philosophical Chinese movie is based on the 2005 novel by Lisa See and directed by… More

  • Noah N


    'Snow Flower And The Secret Fan' (2011) is a delightful and gentle art house film. It expresses the true love in friendship.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

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Trailers & Clips

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