The Matrimony DVD Movie Review
The Matrimony DVD Movie Review
Directed by Teng Hua-Tao, starring Bingbing Fan, Leon Lai, Rene Liu, Songzi Xu
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While I'm not exactly an ardent admirer of A-horror, I am quite glad to see the return of Tartan's Asia Extreme label with its new release of this 2007 gothic chiller entitled The Matrimony. I must admit, I was laughing at first… some sketchy CGI (especially for a death scene that's supposed to be heart-wrenching) had me going with a case of the giggles, but by and by the reliance on effects subsided and a solid story, lush atmosphere and stylish substance won me over.
Obviously quite taken by classic gothic ghostly cinema like Rebecca, Laura, and the more modern A Tale of Two Sisters, this Shanghai-set period piece (30s/40s era — fashionistas should be in seventh heaven over the costumes, hairstyles and makeups) spins the sad story of cinematographer Shen Junchu (Leon Lai) and his lost love, the fiancee in red finery, Xu Manli (Bingbing Fan).
Trying and failing to take her place is new wife Sansan (Rene Liu) — and she's hardly helped by the meddling and superstitious mother-in-law, Rong Ma (Songzi Xu), who spins strange stories of childhood culinary recall involving the consumption of bats and leeches (food is an underlying theme in The Matrimony but it's kind of, er, half-baked… I'm not sure what they were trying to do with this plotline but it doesn't go anywhere).
Sansan struggles with her unconsummated bridal status, while Junchu pines for the woman he lost to the mists of the netherworld. Manli also drifts in and out of her own purgatory, her sudden and violent demise leaving her unsatisfied and in a state of constant unrest. She breaks through to her only living link between herself and her would-be groom, luring her prey into the attic striking a seemingly friendly deal with Sansan which will hopefully be beneficial to all. But when her plan to inhabit her replacement's body with her soul backfires and Junchu actually begins to fall in love with Sansan, Manli becomes malevolent.
Well-acted all around, each character is given decent enough depth and dimension within the usual limitations of the genre and source. It doesn't hurt that the lead actresses are quite beautiful and look just right for their retro-roles. The cinematography and color palette are sumptuous, and the score is sweet and understated. Sets are decorated to perfection, and they're shot deep and high (some nice ceiling detail adds realism to an otherwise unbelievable setting).
Less a horror movie than a love triange, and not as "extreme" as the marketing angle might indicate, The Matrimony is still a pleasant enough trip to the cinematic afterlife for those predisposed to liking dark fairytales and the paranormal romance realm. Which is not to say there aren't a few "chiller" moments… but The Matrimony is more about the people than the paranormal.
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson
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