A seemingly unshakable friendship gets put to the test by war, a communist takeover, the Cultural Revolution & especially by the intrusion of a woman into the lives of two Chinese opera stars. Inseparable since childhood, Duan Xiaolou (Zhang Fengyi) and Cheng Dieyi (Leslie Cheung) find themselves increasingly at odds after Xiaolou weds a lovely courtesan (Gong Li). The film captures 50 years of Chinese history as it spins around the characters.
Rated R     155 minutes     1993
5 Stars. This is one of the best foreign films I have ever seen. I first saw this in 1995 or 1996. It is the very first "gay film" I ever saw. Excellent story, excellent acting, beautiful costumes, beautiful opera. David had never seen this and was enthralled by this movie!! Hope you get a chance to watch it!!