The Nightingale (2013) User Reviews

Incredibly sweet blend of fast and slow China

[anji2 · 8/10 · 19 May 2014]

I saw this film at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) and I really enjoyed the story as well as the views of rural and village China. I travel in China myself by long distance bus and (not speed) train, the portrayal seemed very genuine and sincere as well as the scenes of village life. The shots of the environment were breathtaking and the exploration of the value of being "unplugged" and connected to family and roots was just beautiful. I did find it interesting that they translated "QQ" to "Skype"... I understand why but... I suppose there wasn't a better option. Anyway, I would highly recommend this film for anyone who is a lover of travel within China or is interested modern Chinese culture and scenery. The vocabulary is great for those learning Mandarin, too.

HAUNTING MELODY

[MadamWarden · 7/10 · 25 November 2019]

A delightful little gem of a movie. Stunning scenery, lovely script and great cast. A little predictable but an enjoyable insight into rural China and Chinese family life.

A few tears to be shed for sure.

a beautiful and moving film, with a lot of heart and charm, and broad appeal

[gregking4 · 8/10 · 22 August 2014]

This French Chinese co-production is a beautiful and moving film, with a lot of heart and charm, and it has broad appeal. When her workaholic parents have to go on trips, young Ren Xing (Xin Yi Yang) is reluctantly left in the care of her estranged grandfather Zhi Gen Zhu (Baotian Li, from Shanghai Triad, etc), a widower who lives in a small apartment in Beijing. Xing's father Chong (Hao Qin) is dubious of the arrangement, as his father temporarily lost Xing in a crowded marketplace four years earlier, and he is worried that something may happen. Zhu desires to return to his small home town in the country for sentimental purposes, and takes Xing along. Xing is a spoiled, precocious, petulant and selfish little brat who is resentful of having to leave behind the creature comforts of her luxurious apartment in Beijing for the rustic countryside. Grandfather carries with him his beloved nightingale in a cage, hence the title. But as the pair become lost overnight in a dense forest they begin to bond. The Nightingale is a pleasant road movie that offers up a subtle criticism of the consumerism of contemporary China and the unintended consequences of its one-child policy, which has produced a generation of spoiled, self-absorbed kids. While at the same time the film subtly explores some universal themes that will resonate strongly with audiences. An air of melancholy permeates the material too. Philippe Muyl directs with sensitivity and compassion, and the film shares a few thematic similarities with his 2002 drama The Butterfly. The film is driven by a superb, wonderfully nuanced performance by veteran Li, while newcomer Yang is also very good. The Nightingale is gorgeous to look at thanks to the superb widescreen lensing of Sun Ming, who captures some breathtaking locations and scenery of rural China.

Formulaic late 80ies French movie in a Chinese package

[ivan_dmitriev · 6/10 · 15 June 2019]

There is chemistry between the kid and her granpa, but the rest of the formula just falls apart - the French inter-generational family reunion dramedy only worked because there was and still is an inter-generational conflict in the French society between the pre- and post-soixantehuitard generation 1968, no such conflict really exists in China. Moreover the director just tries to be dramatic for drama's sake which doesn't work unsurprisingly.

Great development of the relationship between the grandchild and the grandfather, but everything else is muddled, and the movie feels TOO LONG, despite being formatted as a standard 1980ies 90-minute TV movie.

A nice film

[graham-harvey · 7/10 · 17 November 2021]

This film gives a unique insight into the modern urban middle class family in China & the farming people. There is much wealth in some families, but too easy to lose the standards of conduct. When money & objects & technology have replaced connections between people. And when children have not been raised to show good conduct & respect, because parents are too busy working. Here the precocious granddaughter returns to the farming country where her family originated from with her grandfather, and in the process, gets reconnected to other people & nature. There is much for this girl to learn from her grandfather & thus the process begins. The charm of the village & the decency of how people relate there is nice to see. Such beautiful scenes. A very nice film.

Simply Beautiful!

[mmunier · 18 April 2022]

I have no idea what that "inter gernerationalnaught " had in mind when he dissected this wonderful movie. Perhaps he touched a nerve in my French origin. But I'm glad many other did enjoy this wonderful story. It's a bout love, life and contrast with its choices. Not for a second I could sense a French influence in it I just glided with the story till the end and did not feel it was too long. Not everything has to be or ends in a negative mood. If no miracle, good things happen too. I do appreciate reality where reality is appropriate else to see a better world is not such a bad thing.

Please do yourself a favour put this movie in your list. There is no promise you will like it but it's way better than not giving it a chance.