San Diego Reader

Two women in Shanghai are laotong sisters (bonded chums for life). As one of them researches another laotong pair in 19th-century China, the film opts for long, almost lacquered flashbacks. Wayne Wang’s bland feminist reverie is a scroll of pretty views and stilted acting, with enough big issues (foot-binding, male piggery, cruel stepmoms, opium, plague, rebellion) to make you think it could be important. It isn’t. 2011.

— David Elliott

• Rated PG-13 | 2 hours
• Official website

This movie is not currently in theaters.