本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Xiaochun (Yun Tang) is a 13-year-old violin prodigy who lives with his father, Liu (Pequi Liu) Cheng, in a small Chinese city. Shy and sensitive, Xiaochun doesn't say much – music is his way of expressing his feelings. But his entire life changes when his father, wanting only the best for him, takes him to live in immense, metropolitan Beijing. Liu Cheng is willing to sacrifice everything so Xiaochun can audition for a prestigious music school and take lessons that befit his talent. In this new world, Xiaochun encounters new and demanding teachers, discovers true friendship, learns how painful life's choices can be, and comes to understand the strength of his father's love. Featuring an incredible classical soundtrack, Chen Kaige's TOGETHER is a stirring drama about the power of music and the importance of family.
Director Chen Kaige (Sometimes said Kaige Chen) has previously helmed such critical hits like FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE and THE EMPEROR AND THE ASSASSIN. His love of music is used in full force here, adding a level of uncompromised sophistication to a richly textured script. The film is filled with interesting characters and scenarios. Xiaochun's father Liu Cheng is a sincere man, doing whatever it takes to help his son succeed, even if it means working several demeaning jobs at all hours of the day. Cheng carries his entire fortune inside his hat, which is a fitting characteristic for this rather simple man. Pequi Liu gives an amusing and endearing portrayal in Cheng, making us respect him no matter what he may be doing. Xiaochun on the other hand is consumed only with his talent. The violin has become his entire life, and though he may bring joy to others when playing, there is an emptiness weighing heavily upon him. Yun Tang, who has apparently never acted before, is simply amazing as Xiaochun, turning in a beautifully layered performance that will easily impress you. Hong Chen plays Lili, a gorgeous material girl who switches boyfriends almost as many times as she changes clothes. Xiaochun becomes fascinated, and perhaps somewhat infatuated, with her alluring attitude. Though she's obviously low on the moral scale, we find ourselves attracted to her as well, perhaps simply for her erratic behavior. Zhiwen Wang play Professor Jiang, a rather eccentric man who helps Xiaochun find comfort while playing. Jiang becomes almost like a more serious father to Xiaochun, though his teaching methods are sometimes questionable. The film's director Chen Kaige doubles his duties by playing the stern Professor Yu, who only teaches the finest musicians, and may just be the one person who can truly get Xiaochun the attention that is needed.
What makes the film so good is that everyone we're introduced to is interesting and unique. All of the characters have a driving force that motivates them. Xiaochun has his violin. Cheng has his son. Lili has her clothes. Professor Jiang has music. And Professor Yu has his students. What's really intriguing is watching how music (particularly Xiaochun's music) affects all of their lives, and in many ways shows their true colors. The music plays a big part in the film, sometimes dominating scenes for several minutes on end, though it never becomes overdone. Kaige uses the music to help tell the story. The relationship between father and son takes precedence in the script, but all of the events surrounding these two make for an amazing time. The violin solos are performed by Chuanyun Li, who also makes a brief cameo in the film as Professor Yu's prodigy. You will hear violin music unlike anything ever played before. Chen's directing is top notch. The visuals are done with the utmost grace, and the pacing is carried out well. Aside from a few slow moments, the film remains consistently engaging. If you're looking for a really good film this Father's Day, look no further than TOGETHER. I'm hoping it receives wide recognition, and feel confident we may be hearing more about it come Oscar time. What more can I say, GO SEE IT!
影片在北京进行过小范围的试映，看过的人几乎都一致称好。影片监制黄建新导演表示：“这是我看过的去年完成的片里最好的一部，它将来在国际上会取得很大成功。”据他透露，影片展现了陈凯歌另一方面的才华，与以前的影片风格完全不同。影片的视觉感 受非常现代，人物造型师和摄影师都来自韩国，以外国人的角度发掘出了中国美。而广东省电影公司副总经理赵军看过影片后再次感动不已，他乐观预计该片的票房，“有无可能超《大腕》，都不一定。”他认为本片与张艺谋的《英雄》将成为今年两部最经典的电影，目前广东和长沙等地的电影公司已在筹备千人少年小提琴演奏首映礼。《和你在一起》将会十月上旬在我院上映。
剧情：
刘小春年幼时就拉小提琴，十三岁即身拥不少令人称羡的琴赛奖状。对于这位敏感又沉默的少年，这个乐器一直是他最喜爱的表达方式，是与他从未谋面的母亲之间一种最珍贵的联系，而母亲是他获取灵感的源头。
他的父亲刘成是一个普通的厨师，深以小春为傲，对儿子寄予深切期望和天真的野心。赢取区域性的比赛当然不足以造就一个盛名职业演奏家，即使是个乡野人，刘成也知道非经过北京的洗炼不可；他儿子事业的成功失败全系于此。
小春和父亲于是离开家乡的北方小镇，前往北京少年宫参加全国性的小提琴比赛，并抱着一展国际事业前程的希望。
北京激昂的气氛让乡下来的父子俩印象深刻，然而更吸引住小春的是一个年轻女人的脸蛋和身体：莉莉。由于她，小春接触到之前毫无概念的另一种世界。莉莉美丽俗艳，有点玩世不恭，张乔做致，忽而并怀，忽而嗔怒，转换之间了无痕迹。莉莉将成为他少年的初恋，第一次的心疼，第一位知己。
小春在少年宫的比赛排名第五，对刘成来说，这象征儿子大好前途的第一步。经过不懈努力，刘成终于让江老师同意收小春为学生。
刘成打工以支付小春的琴课学费。单身的江老师桀骜不驯，伤感寡欢，不易相处，完全不采传统教学法。但终究在其指引下，小春跨出决定性的一大步，暂时搁下了天份上的琴艺技巧，全心投入地倾听乐谱。
这其间，小春发现车站的漂亮陌生女人，就住在临近的小楼。另一种教育展开了，小春很快就窥视出隐藏在莉莉美丽面孔下，一个恋爱中包养女人的焦虑，不时受男人欺骗的伤心失望。
一趟偶然的送餐差事中，刘成聆听了接受满堂喝彩的一位年轻演奏家的演奏。他登门拜访后者的恩师，高雅的余教授，并说服了他倾听儿子拉段小提琴。满腔遗憾地离开无法担保他演奏事业成功的江老师，小春在余教授的掌控下继续追寻成功的路程。这位新老师严格、苛求，摆布控管，特意将小春和他得意女弟子林雨凑在一起，让两人竞争。
在这段辛苦的过程中，小春也努力澄清他与父亲之间越来越紧绷的关系。
比赛的前夕，余教授终于指定小春参加选拔赛，而不是林雨。他甚至泄露给小春个将影响他一生的秘密……更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
