Sluggish soap won't wash

EMPIRE OF SILVER (M) Ratings: 1.5/5 Cinema Nova (113 minutes)

By InvestSMART · 24 May 2012

By InvestSMART ·
24 May 2012

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EMPIRE OF SILVER (M)

Ratings: 1.5/5

Cinema Nova (113 minutes)

THERE'S scope for an intriguing film about China at the end of the 19th century from the perspective of one of the nation's leading banks.

But in the hands of first-time Taiwanese-American director Christina Yao, this sluggish, uninvolving soap opera hardly resonates with the present as it ought to.

With the Chinese economy in tumult, the pragmatic banker Master Kang (Zhang Tielin) is bent on preserving his family's financial empire.

There is no love lost between him and his heir apparent, Third Master (Aaron Kwok), given Third Master's passion for the woman (Hao Lei) who becomes Kang's second wife.

There's a great deal more to the story: the fate of Third Master's three brothers, the change to "paper money" in place of silver, and a random attack by digitally generated wolves.

Other subplots are introduced, then dropped: it's hard to account for the fleeting presence of Jennifer Tilly as a missionary, unless this is supposed to make the film more marketable in the US. Ultimately, the clash between father and son is resolved in an unsatisfying, evasive manner that virtually erases much of what has gone before.

The film depends heavily throughout on voiceover narration by a later member of the dynasty, who seems mysteriously well-informed about events that occurred before he was born.

As a result, there is rarely much suspense or narrative momentum. Nor does Yao overcome a blandly decorative style, in which the camera rises and falls with stately regularity and most interiors are bathed in golden light.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What is the film Empire of Silver about and does it involve banking or economic themes?

Empire of Silver is a historical drama centered on Master Kang, a pragmatic banker trying to preserve his family’s financial empire during a tumultuous period in China. The plot includes family conflict—particularly with his heir, Third Master—and touches on economic change such as the move from silver to paper money.

Who directed Empire of Silver and what’s notable about the direction?

The film was directed by Christina Yao, a first‑time Taiwanese‑American director. The review says Yao’s handling leaves the movie feeling sluggish and soap‑opera like, with a bland decorative visual style that limits narrative momentum.

Which actors appear in Empire of Silver and who do they play?

Key cast members mentioned are Zhang Tielin as Master Kang, Aaron Kwok as Third Master, and Hao Lei as the woman who becomes Kang’s second wife. Jennifer Tilly also appears briefly as a missionary, though her role is described as fleeting.

How did critics rate Empire of Silver and what were the main criticisms?

The review gives Empire of Silver a 1.5 out of 5 rating, calling it sluggish and uninvolving. Major criticisms include overreliance on a voiceover that undercuts suspense, dropped subplots, an unsatisfying resolution of the father‑son clash, and some ill‑judged CGI moments (like digitally generated wolves).

Does the film explore the historical switch from silver to paper money?

Yes—the change to paper money replacing silver is explicitly included as a plot element, and it forms part of the broader economic backdrop against which Master Kang tries to protect his family’s fortune.

Are there specific storytelling or production choices that affect how the financial story is told?

According to the review, storytelling choices such as heavy voiceover narration by a later dynasty member, introduced‑then‑dropped subplots, and decorative camerawork (rising and falling shots, interiors bathed in golden light) weaken suspense and dilute the film’s financial and dramatic themes.

Would Empire of Silver be useful for someone wanting a compelling historical banking drama?

While the premise has potential for an intriguing film about late‑19th‑century Chinese banking, the review suggests the execution is disappointing. Everyday viewers interested specifically in a compelling economic or banking drama may find it unsatisfying.

How long is Empire of Silver and where was it screened?

The film’s runtime is 113 minutes and the review references a screening at Cinema Nova.