A simple, humane story told in metaphors, a film that might work for kids old enough to read the subtitles, appealing to their sense of injustice.

While there are a handful of touching images during the film's home stretch, "One Second" never betrays that ambivalence for the sake of easy tears or a pat message.

Despite censorship, Zhang Yimou's tale of the power of cinema has a gorgeous eye, a droll sense of humor and a big, full celluloid heart.

“One Second” does not reach the levels of Zhang Yimou’s masterpieces of the category, as in the case of Raise the Red Lanterns, but remains a well-shot, well acted movie that manages to make a number of pointy comments while entertaining its audience.