I Am Not Madame Bovary (2016)

If you appreciate satire, artistic, and slow paced films, then this film is under a favorable light. The title and the introduction of Pan Jilan at the beginning both bring on the burdensome theme of adultery upon the leading lady, who seems so far from it.

Lin Xue Lian brings her case of a fake divorce. Unexpectedly, her case unnecessarily drags on - to the extent of inducing paranoia in government officials. Throughout the movie, she is labeled everything she is clearly not, predominantly an adulterer and a liar, evoking a strong irony in the film. A turning point occurs after she finds out the real motive behind Zhao Dato that leads to understanding the protagonist's strong belief in herself and her morals. Adding more to the irony of the film and to the frustration you feel towards the men she has to deal with. Towards the end, Lin Xue Lian's real motives are revealed and a kind of sadness and uneasiness takes over you.

The cinematography is unique, especially the director’s choice of frame. It switches between a circular close up to a rigid square throughout the film. Is there a connection between the frame and the characters or the theme prevalent in that frame? It's hard for me to tell and will require some research.

Overall, I think this film is interesting but requires patience. If you appreciate artistic films saturated in irony, I think you might enjoy this.

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