Shanghai Triad

     Director Yimou Zang's 1995 Shanghai Triad is a film that follows the journey of young peasant boy, Shuisheng, as he is recruited by his uncle to work as a servant for a Chinese mafia-type gang. Shuisheng, like his uncle, is recruited from the poor life of farming solely for the the purpose of being a servant to Boss Tang; but in Shuisheng's case, a servant to the Boss's Mistress. As expected, Xiao Jingbao, the boss's mistress, is conceited and arrogant as she constantly disrespects Shuisheng and orders him around. Only a few days pass for Shuisheng in his new life of being constantly disrespected by Xiao, in addition to being locked in his room when she receives a male visitor who happens to be Boss Tang's right hand man, Mr. Song, before he begins to regret his decision and begs his uncle to leave. Only to be met with a temper and slap in the face from his uncle, Shuisheng must not only accept his new life, but must also accept the loss of his uncle, who is killed shortly after their disagreement in assassination attempt on Boss Tang's life. Boss Tang although injured, is not killed, and takes his closest associates, including Xiao and her servant, to accompany him on a remote island as he goes into a time of hiding and healing. Here, on this island, Shuisheng develops a liking to Xiao as she has nobody to talk to except for Shuisheng, and the farmer who cares for Boss Tang, along with her pretty young daughter. While using the bathroom in the woods, Shuisheng overhears the voices of two men claiming to be sent by Mr. Song in order to kill Xiao and Boss Tang. In response to hearing this scandal, Shuisheng rushes to Boss Tang's cabin, where Boss Tang, Xiao, and Mr. Song are all present, to warn Boss Tang of the murderous plan in which Boss Tang surprisingly already knows the details of. Upon revealing the plan in which Shuisheng thought he recently discovered, Boss Tang, has Mr. Song, along with Xiao, killed for trying to overthrow him and trying to make him look like a fool by having relations behind his back. In response to Boss Tang's ordering of Xiao's death, Shuisheng rushes to her defense as he is easily overpowered and strung upside down on Boss Tang's ship as punishment. It is in the final scene, as Boss Tang's ship leaves the remote Island, in which Shuisheng, hanging upside down, learns of Boss Tang's order of the killing of the farmer woman, who was caring for him on the island, while also taking her pretty young daughter with the intentions of turning her into the next Xiao Jingbao. The coin, in which Xiao gave Shuisheng to help start a business someday, falls from Sheuisheng's pocket into the deep water symbolizing how another honest dream and another simple person from a poor background is consumed by the vicious nature of the mob, yet again.

     The theme of organized crime being a poison, a toxin, to people, dreams, happiness, and honesty is paramount throughout the film, Shanghai Triad. Even as confessed by Xia, she was a young innocent girl from a humble family, until the day Boss Tang came into her life and turned her into what she is. Shuisheng, although not yet corrupted, still lost his uncle and a future of free-will to the world of organized crime, as well as did the pretty little girl and her mother, the farmer and care-taker of the Boss Tang upon the island. As summarized in the closing scenes of Shanghai Triad, all people who cross paths with Boss Tang and his gang, end up dead or prisoners/servants.

     Overall, I enjoyed Shanghai Triad, and would strongly recommend it. Although it may be far from an action packed and exciting movie, Shanghai Triad consists of a cast of good actors whose talents all come together in an intriguing plot that uses symbolism to enforce and reveal the underlying themes.