Word: gere
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...Richard Gere takes Hollywood's latest shot at China--this time attacking its system of criminal justice (or lack thereof). Solid courtroom drama and a fine performance by Bai Ling as Gere's lawyer are ultimately let down by a muddled ending...
...Richard Gere in real life is now persona non grata in China. Due to his outspoken support of Tibetan independence following the Chinese invasion of the country, the government continues to disallow his visas and reserves the right to arrest him should he set foot in the country...
...impressive, then, that the movie is able to execute this tried and true genre with as much competence as it does, given the self-imposed hurdle that it all happen in China. Jack Moore (Richard Gere) finds himself in China negotiating a cable television deal with the government, and then just as quickly and easily finds himself in bed with a beautiful Chinese model--a surefire recipe for disaster. Sure enough, he awakens to find her murdered and himself under arrest for the crime. The ensuing legal battle is at the same time strange and unnatural for Moore and strangely...
Accordingly, the relationship between Gere and Ling is one of the few things that elevates the movie above the generic. The culture clash becomes all the more striking, as we see how the two learn to work together thus providing a foil for the isolation that all the other Chinese elements create...
...bottom of the matter, to resolve her own moral qualms, and she increasingly puts herself in danger by helping Moore. This shift of focus is extremely well done and welcome. Both characters become fleshed out and more endearing as they each must break from their traditionally defined roles: Gere gets to be a concerned champion of another's welfare instead of just a victim, and Ling gets to be an endangered target and not just a calculating defense attorney. This role swapping strengthens both characters, and both actors are strongest when interacting with each other...