The Road Home
The Road Home

Movie spotlight

The Road Home

1999
Movie
89 min
Mandarin

Prompted by the death of his father and the grief of his mother, a man recalls the story of how they met in flashback.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes74%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users88%
Director: Zhang YimouGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A young man returns to his rural hometown for his father's funeral and learns more about his parents' enduring love story. He recalls the journey his mother took to bring his father's body back to their village when he died years prior. The narrative unfolds through flashbacks, revealing their courtship and the sacrifices they made for each other.

Critical Reception

The Road Home was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its tender portrayal of love and sacrifice, as well as Zhang Yimou's distinct visual style. It was particularly lauded for its emotional resonance and the performances of its lead actors, especially Gong Li. The film resonated with audiences for its simple yet powerful depiction of familial bonds and enduring romance.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its heartwarming and poignant depiction of love and devotion.

  • Zhang Yimou's direction was commended for its visual beauty and emotional depth.

  • The performances, particularly by Gong Li, were highlighted as standout elements.

Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a touching and beautiful story about love and sacrifice, appreciating its emotional impact and artistic presentation.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, won Best Actress (Gong Li) at the Golden Rooster Awards and Hundred Flowers Awards.

Fun Fact

Zhang Ziyi, who plays the younger version of Gong Li's character, was relatively unknown before this film. Her performance caught the eye of director Ang Lee, who subsequently cast her in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review