Snow Flower and The Secret Fan

Snow Flower and The Secret Fan

I wanted to enjoy this film and it almost works. The central theme is about women’s binding friendship. That aspect of the film was touching. The film works on two levels in different time periods.

Part of the story takes place in Shanghai in the 1800’s. Lily and Snow Flower are bonded together in a ceremony called laotong. It states that the two are bonded forever and even when married are permitted one visit per year. This part of the story was the best part of the film and sufficient for the total film. The two women try to keep in touch even though their lives take them in different directions.

Lily marries a wealthy business man. Initially her life is difficult as she plays servant to her powerful mother-in-law. When the parent in-laws die she becomes the wealthy head of the extended family along with her successful husband.

Snow flower is living in difficult circumstances with her brutish butcher husband and many children.

Lily goes to visit Snow flower and is overcome with the poverty and brutish manner of Snow flower’s husband. A rebellion occurs and they are forced to flee in terrible conditions. They flee into the woods. The hardships are tremendous.

This part of the story was fascinating and educational. Women’s role in the family is clearly portrayed. We see the painful habit of foot binding. It was excruciating to watch. I could feel the pain. Historical aspects were very interesting. Through it all the bonded friendship of two women was sustained.

The film also takes on the task of portraying two modern day women bonded in friendship. Nina and Sophia have been lifelong friends. They move in different directions and become estranged. A tragedy to one of the girls brings them together again. Nina discovers that Sophia has written a story about two women in a laotong contract living inShanghai in the past.

The historical and present day friendships are played by the same actors. Hugh Jackman has a short role as Sophia’s male friend. He is a night club owner and singer. He actually sings a song in both English and a Chinese dialect. Hugh Jackman is pleasant to look at but his role was almost laughable and not necessary to the film.

The idea of women’s friendship in two different time periods is a novel idea. It just doesn’t come off in a finished product. By the end I was glad it was over.