Temptation of a Monk (1993) ½
cast: Wu Hsing Guo, Joan Chen Chung, Lee Ming-yeung, Lisa Lu, and Zhang Fengyi
director: Clara Law

It's been a long time since I've seen a film both as beautiful and as boring as Clara Law's "Temptation of a Monk." Unlike some films, where a certain sense of merit begins to build and ultimately saves the film, "Temptation of a Monk" gives us stunning cinematography, breath-taking art direction, some well thought-out combat sequences, and one boring script.

I simply cannot recommend the film beyond a video rental, though it went on to be nominated for a string of awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 1993.

During the Tang Dynasty, a general (Wu Hsing Guo) is betrayed and aped into a conspiracy that leaves the Prince of Tang murdered so the general's brother may take his place as emperor. The general's mother, before she commits suicide, commands her son to swear he will not take revenge. With the few men still loyal to him, the general leads them to a local monastery to live in peace, which of course never happens do to various degrees of social status and human desire.

International actress Joan Chen Chung pulls double duty in two roles: first as a princess and second as a bald-headed assassin.

While I enjoyed nearly every minor detail in "Temptation of a Monk," I simply could not get past how slow the story was. Near the conclusion of the film, the general is left alone and takes solace with a group of hermit-like abbots in the mountains. These are some of the film's driest moments; these are some of the driest moments I've ever viewed on celluloid.

I respect Clara Law and her husband and scriptwriter Eddie Fong for refusing to bow to commercialism, instead making the types of films they choose to see fit, but with every breath "Temptation of a Monk" takes it always threatens to get better, but never really does. Some fans of the film compare it to the level of work of an Akira Kurosawa picture.

Visually, perhaps, but when was the last time Kurosawa put you to sleep?