Movie Digest
What’s it like living on an island with your wife for the glory of your country? This movie tells us exactly what that feeling is like. The film tells us the story and touching experience of Wang Jicai and his wife. The two make Kaishan island their home for 32 years to defend their country. With a full-fledged family, he must all relieve his duties and face a force 10 typhoon encroaching the area. With a noble cause, the couple succumbs to the anxiety of living alone on an island. What will the couple go through? How will they live on the island for such an extended period? Watch the movie to relive the touching and heartwarming story and Wang Jicai’s legacy.
The Feel-Good Part
This film is a labor of love, and it can be felt in every single frame and moment within the film. There is deep detail and sensitivity that goes into the understanding of Wang Jicai’s story and how he lived. The film’s cinematography is stunning. With six months dedicated to filming, you can feel the care and beauty the film intended to show. The film’s setting is Pingtan Island which conveys the loneliness and isolation of living on the island. It is a great location and plays into the story well. But perhaps the acting is one of the most feel-good parts of the entire film as our lead actor plays an impressive role of the well-beloved figure and plays him with the utmost respect and reverence. Wang Jicai’s story must be remembered for its sheer patriotism, and this movie does it justice.
The Disappointing Factor
There’s very little you can get from a story on isolation. We expect intense action and emotion in historical dramas, but this movie does not hit that mark in this respect. The film also lends itself to a disadvantage. Its two-hour runtime does not justify its emotional output. There is also an extra glamorization of the historical figures due to the actors looking nothing like them. They do not look like the titular fifth-generation army general. This problem persists throughout the drama, but the acting counteracts the unbelievable age change in this movie. If you want to suspend your disbelief for the sake of entertainment, then you may come to enjoy this film. The glamorization does not go beyond the characters, as the film still captures the emotional value perfectly.
In-Depth Analysis
Island Keeper gives a new look into patriotism. Our understanding of patriotic films often is accompanied by riots or freedom fighters. This movie considers a figure that plays an important role in Chinese nationalism. It is a great look at the exchange he took to protect his country. It looks at the toll it would take on him mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially. All these facets come together to tell a unique tale of a man who chose his country over comfort and normal life.
Star Power
Chen Li wrote and directed the film. The screenwriting of this film captures the story of Wang Jicai and adds an extra level of humanity to his life. The screenwriters, including Zhao Zhe En and Ding Han, can give us a masterful look into his life. Chen Li has directed many critically acclaimed movies such as The Road of Exploring, Battle of Xiangjiang River, and The Bugle from Guitan. Liu Ye plays the lead character of Wang Jicai and turns in a phenomenal performance. He can truly capture every emotion the film wants him to. He has starred in several dramas and TV shows, including Old Boy, National Treasure’s Extraordinary Journey, How Can U Rescue My Love, The Founding of an Army, City of Life and Death, and The Underdog Knight. We also have another phenomenal performance by Gong Zhe, who plays Wang Jicai’s wife. As a character is fascinating as we look at the trust and honor she can give her husband even though they are on an island. Gong Zhe has starred in several dramas and TV shows, including Thorn, Gamer’s Generation, Love of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2, So Young, and Midnight Ghost. We also have fantastic support roles played by actors such as Hou Yong, Sun Wei Min, Song Chun Li, and Zhang Yi Shaun,
Overall Opinion
The movie tells a truly remarkable story and makes for a fascinating watch. It might be a bit slow, long, and drawn out, but it makes for a truly inspiring and beautiful viewing experience.
