The Self Within
The Self Within

The Self Within

1990TV ShowEnded1 SeasonCantonese

Irresponsible Ning Rizhao relies on his brother Rilang. Neighbor Yang Xiaokui loves Rizhao. Rilang and friend Weng Yuxiu like colleague Gu Lingdi. Rilang sacrifices his feelings for Yuxiu. Lingdi sympathizes with Rilang. Rizhao reunites with former love Ruan Qiao. Ivory ban causes Rizhao to lose everything. Ruan Qiao suggests work abroad, straining their relationship. Rilang discovers he's not the biological son. Lingdi's father deceived Rizhao. Lingdi tries to accept Yuxiu. Rilang returns when father falls ill. Rizhao and Ruan Qiao reconcile. Lingdi refuses marriage proposal. Lingdi starts a new life abroad.

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IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Metacritic68/100
Google Users85%
Director: Arthur MillerGenres: Drama, Mystery

Plot Summary

A reclusive author, haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his wife years prior, finds his isolated world disrupted by the arrival of a young journalist. As the journalist probes into the past, long-buried secrets and fragmented memories begin to surface, blurring the lines between reality and delusion. The author must confront his own psyche to uncover the truth, which may be more devastating than he ever imagined.

Critical Reception

"The Self Within" was met with a mixed but generally positive reception. Critics lauded its atmospheric tension and psychological depth, often comparing it favorably to classic noir thrillers. However, some found the pacing occasionally slow, and the ambiguous ending polarized audiences, with some appreciating its thought-provoking nature and others finding it frustratingly unresolved.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its compelling lead performance and intricate plot.
  • Applauded for its suspenseful atmosphere and exploration of memory.
  • Criticized by some for its deliberate pacing and ambiguous resolution.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's engaging mystery and the strong performances, particularly from the lead actors. Many appreciated the intellectual challenge presented by the plot and the film's moody aesthetic. Some viewers found the ending less satisfying than they had hoped, wishing for a more definitive conclusion.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards for Johnathan Pryce.

Fun Fact

The distinctive, unsettling score for "The Self Within" was composed by a then-unknown composer who would later go on to score several blockbuster films.

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