The cold weather in the Northeast winter and the temperament of the film itself have produced a wonderful chemical effect. The director amplifies and focuses on the combination of the environment, events and human feelings. The groups of people, good and bad, good and evil, are deeply portrayed.
Although there is a slight flaw in narrative handling, the director's realistic style, calm shots, and the penetrating performances of Liao Fan and Gui Lunmei make up for it. Wu Zhizhen, a woman who stepped on the edge of a blade, crawled forward on the bone-piercing ice rink, Zhang Zili danced alone on the road of justice, and Liang Zhijun set fire to the flames of love. Together, they burst into flames in a pale society.
A film whose style is better than narrative is commendable. Although it cannot reach the classics, it is definitely worthy of appreciation in the environment of domestic films. The performances of Liao Fan and Gui Lunmei complement each other and are in line with the overall style of the film. They well demonstrate the indifference and fragmentation of reality, and at the same time, they show the living conditions of people in contemporary Northeast China. It is worth watching.
View more about Black Coal, Thin Ice reviews
