Is Beautified Realism: The Making of 'Flowers of Shanghai' Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2021)

📖 The Core Premise

Beautified Realism: The Making of 'Flowers of Shanghai' returns to the screen in 2021, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A new documentary by Daniel Raim and Eugene Suen on the making of "Flowers of Shanghai," featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Mark Lee Ping-bing, producer and editor Liao Ching-sung, production designer Hwarng Wern-ying, and sound recordist Tu Duu-chih."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Beautified Realism: The Making of 'Flowers of Shanghai', Hou Hsiao-hsien delivers a performance that anchors the emotional weight of the film. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Beautified Realism: The Making of 'Flowers of Shanghai' worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. It stands out as one of the stronger entries of 2021, offering enough depth to satisfy critical viewers while remaining accessible to casual audiences.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Beautified Realism: The Making of 'Flowers of Shanghai' is a solid addition to the genre. With a runtime of 37 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Definitely Watch.