Movies on the Edge

By STEVE PERSALL

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 21, 2000

NOT ONE LESS (G) (104 min.) 0 -- Differences between Chinese poverty and wealth are witnessed through the eyes of a child in Zhang Yimou's simple tale. Yimou is known for more mature films than this about Chinese culture (Raise the Red Lantern, Shanghai Triad), and proves himself equally adept at creating a pure-hearted fable.

The child in question is 13-year-old Wei (Wei Minzhi), who lives in a remote village of laborers. Wei is a good student, chosen to maintain control over classmates when the teacher is called away by death in her family. Wei isn't expected to teach anything, just to not waste chalk or allow students to skip class. All students, not one less, are expected to be there when the teacher returns.

One boy does sneak out. Zhang (Zhang Huike) runs away to the big city looking for work to assist his poor family. Wei decides to go there, find her classmate and bring him back in order to fulfill her duty. Eventually, the entire class gets involved in the assignment, loading bricks to earn money for her bus ticket. When Wei arrives in the city, she gets buried in bureaucratic red tape. She doesn't give up easily.

Not One Less is another pure-at-heart film from overseas, like Iran's Children of Heaven, inadvertently poking a finger at spoiled children of the Western world. Seeing the life these children lead and their determination to make the best of it, is a lesson for anyone. Yimou usually loads his films with political drama, keeping him in hot water with repressive Chinese authorities. Not One Less isn't preachy, and therefore more universal in its emotional effect.

The performances by a cast of non-professionals are generally fine, with Minzhi capable of holding attention throughout the film. Yimou grew up in the same kind of village Zhang does, so those scenes have a warm, nostalgic feel. Metropolitan settings don't seem to inspire him as much, and the film lags a bit during Zhang's odyssey. The cumulative effect, though, is very pleasant, indeed.

Shown with English subtitles. Opens today at Tampa Theatre and Beach Theater. B+