83
The re-creation of early 20th-century Beijing is dense and loving, and Hu shows just as much affection for the people who start to trickle into the shabby little cinema.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
50
Properly picturesque but lacks subtlety and substance in blending Chinese and Western history, ideas, and cinematic conventions.
88
Rising above simple sentiment to explore class differences and the enduring clash between East and West with wit and wisdom.
75
Philadelphia Inquirer by Desmond Ryan
Transports us to a world that still had a capacity for awe, and that's the core of its charm.
50
San Francisco Chronicle by Edward Guthmann
A pleasant but conventional film.
75
Shadow Magic isn't interested in psychology or character study. It's a series of tableaux and on that level succeeds admirably.
50
Unfortunately, Hu and her army of co-writers saddle the story with a tired romantic subplot and fail to develop meaningful characters.
70
Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas
Evokes the dawn of cinema in China with much charm, humor and subtlety.
70
Has a real sense of the wonder of the early years.
75
Seattle Post-Intelligencer by William Arnold
Never quite builds the compulsive emotional power it needs to be an unforgettable personal drama.