Clean

A former punk rock singer, Emily Wang, travels to Los Angeles after hearing that her husband, a wealthy Chinese businessman, has died. She discovers he was actually involved in illegal activities and her son is in the custody of her father-in-law. Emily must confront her past and navigate the criminal underworld to regain custody of her child.

Olivier Assayas's "Clean" received critical acclaim, particularly for Maggie Cheung's performance, which earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was praised for its raw portrayal of addiction, motherhood, and the complexities of the music industry, though some critics found its narrative somewhat disjointed.

• Maggie Cheung's magnetic performance anchors the film, showcasing a remarkable range of emotion.
• The film offers a gritty and unflinching look at addiction and the struggles of a mother seeking redemption.
• Olivier Assayas's direction provides a stylish yet melancholic backdrop to Emily's journey.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the film's strong central performance and its mature exploration of difficult themes. Many found Emily's story compelling and Cheung's portrayal deeply affecting.

Maggie Cheung won the Best Actress Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

Maggie Cheung's performance in "Clean" was largely improvised, with director Olivier Assayas encouraging her to draw from her own experiences and emotions to shape the character.