Empire of Silver

What, if anything, the film's final burst of idealism offers universally is hard to say. But it feels good to see in these acrimonious days.

Though written too broadly to serve as the powerful allegorical tale writer/director Christina Yao intends, this historical epic is just compelling enough to be taken on its own terms.

Occasionally muddled and always melodramatic, yet it's pictorially compelling, thanks to dramatic locations and exacting art direction.

What a fascinating film! Historical (in fact, rooted in the history of writer/director Christina Yao's own family), interesting and beautiful, Empire of Silver shines in every respect.