Beginning from an incredibly simple concept that is fully explored, this film crushes its audience with its power. In the 1990's, a Chinese girl goes to the rural countryside with a businessman and another girl in the belief that she can make some money by helping them sell medicine. Once there, she wakes up the next morning to find out that she has been kidnapped and sold as a wife to one of the men of the village. She tries to escape many many times, and is punished after every attempt. The sense of torment, entrapment, torture, and utter desperation is evoked precisely, and the camera that records it is unflinching and effective. You, the audience, are in her shoes and there is no escape for you. Throughout the movie there are episodes of foreboding, an unquiet calm, tension peppered with action. The movie ends after an emotionally exhausting nightmare, and it is so good. The audience started cheering before they even knew it was over, proof that Li Yang knows how and when to end his movie.The acting and story and emotions on display were exceptional, if the dialogue was a bit lacking. The simplicity of the story denied a huge depth of analysis, but it never felt too simple or boring/repetitive. Some of the characters in the movie were given short shrift; I never really felt I got to know some of the minor characters. The music was nonexistent (or at least felt that way if there was some), but I don't think it would have helped the movie increase the tension if it were played up. This movie is exceptional and should be seen as soon as possible if you're interested, and after all your friends have raved about it if you aren't.
IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt1020972/