The Great Revival: A masterclass in acting
I've been in a bit of a haze because of The Great Revival, it really is that awesome. I wouldn't have watched this if not for u/Lotus_swimmer in her excellent post https://www.reddit.com/r/CDrama/comments/1aletfe/more_highquality_nonidol_costumed_dramas/
The turbulent Spring and Autumn period no doubt makes for an interesting backdrop but in particular the wars between Wu and Yue states piqued my interest. Like Swords into Plowshares set in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, I barely knew anything about this era and learned a lot.
Father-son conflict ( or rather father figure-son figure conflict) makes for intriguing dramas; this one is no different. Goujian absolutely does not see eye to eye with his father King Yunchang of Yue (another amazing actor) to the point that Yunchang >!deposes him as the crown prince and would rather pass the throne to a literal child!<, feels constrained, and occasionally lashes out. So does Fuchai with King Helu of Wu and later with prime minister Wu Zixu. These curious parallels between Goujian and Fuchai especially in the early episodes is one of the most absorbing motifs of the drama.
The fact that the great Chen Daoming plays the male lead Goujian itself is a good reason to watch this one, that man has never disappointed me. He gets so many scenes with Venetian blind like shadows, my noir loving heart was so happy. You really feel every moment of his hardship and frustration. I also appreciated Hu Jun as Fuchai greatly. It's not easy to be the antagonist to Chen Daoming, but Hu Jun is quite responsive and a great listener here. At least two of their soliloquies have allusions to Macbeth and Hamlet. But the supporting actors?!!!! It's a treat to see this range of acting and depth of character.
Wen Zhong played by the wonderful Zheng Tianyong (seriously how haven't I seen him before?) is the archetype of the frail idealistic scholar who tries to do the right thing, but is full of hidden depths, a diplomat par excellence, and can exploit weaknesses eloquently. His conversation with Bo Pi in episode 18 is one of those perfect scenes in Cdrama history for me. The pauses, the dialogues, the way Wen Zhong hits Bo Pi right where it hurts, the way that characteristic beam of light falls on a small part of Wen Zhong's face leaving the rest in darkness even when he is usually not shot in such light, how he >!manipulates Bo Pi who is standing on a higher step and has theoretically more power !<... all of it is awesome.
I was also impressed by Ding Yongdai as Bo Pi (again, why did I not see him before?) and when I rewatched certain parts, his subtlety, fondness and greed for luxury, >!struggle for power and resentment towards Wu Zixu, !<and yet adherence to a certain moral code is present from the beginning. An ambiguous and complex character played by a deft actor.
Then there's Fan Li and boy that's a whole can of worms there. His relationship with Goujian is ahem *ambiguous at best*. Their first interesting meeting, how Goujian instinctively understands Fan Li's plans and intentions, how furious he gets when Fan Li >!leaves Yue and he sends him the empty scabbard of his royal sword as a rebuke. !< Or the famous snow scene where Goujian literally asks him if he's been a terrible king and sinner, or how he manages to >!keep morale up while they're all enslaved in Wu!<. Dear gods, I was screaming! Fan Li again is infuriatingly complicated and I love him for it. Bless Jia Yiping.
Wu Zixu and Shi Mai are, to an extent, prototypes of the loyal minister who would rather martyr themselves for the nation. But I liked how they're not exactly idealized. Power hungry, driven by revenge, condescending, frighteningly ready to commit appalling crimes to get what they want, they're deeply flawed and set in their ways. Again, absolutely wonderful acting by veteran actors.
Sadly Xi Shi and Yayu were underwhelming at best. They did seem period appropriate, but Zuo Xiaoqing as Queen Yayu fell far short of my expectations. I felt she was too calm and composed and not nearly as expressive. Now, I have no problem with age gaps in relationships if done well, but she did not even register as a presence next to Chen Daoming. I wished Xi Shi had more of a role to play; historically she was one gutsy woman. Maybe The Rebirth of a King would be more focused on her.
Have you watched this drama? What did you enjoy? Did you like The Rebirth of a King better or not?
