here something you do not see every day a mobster movie that focus on the evil of criminal and instead of their coolness . shanghai triad show you how mob violence destroy the life of a gangster moll and endanger her innocent and fresh from the country servant . it exactly the kind of story you wouldn not see in a hollywood movie which be and i suppose and why we watch this weird foreign stuff . gong li be and a ever and forceful and compelling and with a role that infinitely more interesting than what america lead actress usually get . she very glamorous here and and totally unlike the peasant character she play in to live and several other film . what a wonderful and versatile actress . the film other strength include gorgeous and award winning cinematography and interesting point of view shot and and an effective shift from an urban to a country set that pull off very smoothly . it a shame that this be the last film that director zhang yimou and gong li make together and but at least it cap off their collaboration on a high note .