The last Merchant & Ivory film after Merchant's death last year, it is a fitting end to the decades long partnership. Who wouldn't want to be immersed in the intrigue of 1930's Shanghai - certainly not the main players in this story - they were all just where destiny had cast them to be.

Acting wise, there has been an extreme shortage of Natasha Richardson appearances in the past decade, so her performance is always welcome. As is Ralph Fiennes, the consummate pro in a challenging role that he runs with and takes flight. Then a whole raft of convincing secondary characters, and a well written story that continuously surprised me with it's unexpected twists and yields.

Not only that, but the movie includes two highly artistic cut scenes between the three acts that knocked my socks of with their appearance unbidden.

Yup - this is a good one! A historical romantic drama set amidst a volatile political era in an exotic locale inhabited by characters with the most complex motivations this side of Syriana.

4 out of 5.

cool....i'll be watching this come feb10 (or whenever it finally opens). there was a good write up/feature in some newspaper i picked up at a regal, too...wonder if they're gonna expand it soon...