Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (12)

Ang Lee’s stunning love letter to wuxia films is an intoxicating ballet of swords and fists, but it's also a swooning melodrama of epic proportions.

For many, Crouching Tiger was a mainstream introduction to a wuxia tradition that had been mostly relegated to Hong Kong film purists.  

Lee takes his time carefully establishing the intrigue over the fabled “Green Destiny” sword and the unrequited love between Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat), the warrior who possesses it, and Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), a longtime friend and formidable fighter in her own right. The blood of the many slain by Green Destiny had washed too easily off the blade, and Mu Bai’s regret has hastened an early retirement, pending the safe placement of the sword with Yu.

Then there’s Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi), the beautiful and mysterious daughter of a well-heeled family, poised to enter reluctantly into an arranged marriage. When a nimble thief swipes the sword under cover of darkness, it comes as no surprise that Jen is responsible. 25 years have not dulled this masterpiece in any way - from its music to the cinematography - everything is perfectly crafted. Don’t miss.