Quite good glamour vehicle for Gong Li. Photography has the three S's (stunning, sumptuous and sensual), making the film a treat to watch, even when the story turns dull or horrifying. The scene where Li is caught sketching other women's naked bodies in the bathhouse is simply wonderful, but not for Li, as they tears up her sketches and clothes, and yell at her to "go home and draw her own tits". Which she does, thereby finally discovering her true talent.

Being a bio covering a long life, it is of necessity a bit rambling. Also, in showing up some of the social hypocrisy and cruelty of the times, it does at times cross the boundary into propaganda. Ultimately fairly downbeat, even a little depressing, but well worth watching anyway.