A Spray of Plum Blossoms

"One who readily falls in love can hardly be a faithful lover"

A Spray of Plum Blossoms was a modernized and loose adaption of Shakespeare's first play, The Two Gentlemen from Verona. This is one of only seven Ruan Ling Yu films readily available and while her part is relatively small, she still makes the film worth watching. The silent version I watched used Shakespeare's names for the characters and I will do the same in this review.

400-year-old spoilers ahead! Valentine and Proteus are friends from military school. Proteus falls in love with Valentine's sister Julia and vows to take care of her while his friend leaves for a post at Guangzhou. Upon Valentine's arrival he falls in love with the general's daughter Silvia, who reciprocates his feelings. In time, Proteus is assigned to the same post but he doesn't leave before declaring his undying love and fidelity for Julia. Proteus arrives at the post in style via a bi-plane. Proving he truly is the General of Perfume he immediately falls in love with Silvia.

Proteus betrays his friend, causing the General to discharge and exile Valentine. Proteus has competition for Silvia in the form of Thurio, another soldier vying for her hand and the general's favor. Silvia refuses both as her heart has already been given to the disgraced Valentine. When Julia finds out that her brother is in trouble, she travels to the army post and confronts Silvia not about her brother but about Proteus. Silvia convinces her that she isn't in love with him and that he is the reason for Valentine's predicament. Silvia and Proteus take a horse ride together so that she can make him confess. He does but then tries to rape her. Thurio rescues her but has the same violent impulse that Proteus had. Fortunately, the Plum Blossom Bandit who is Valentine in disguise saves her. The next day she and Julia (who is dressed as a male soldier) are captured by bandits on a ride into the countryside. They are brought to the Plum Bandit and the women and Valentine are reconciled. Along with the bandits they set a trap for Proteus. After being confronted by Valentine he confesses his crimes and attempts to shoot himself but is thwarted by Valentine. General Sze arrives and Proteus confesses to him as well. Valentine and Proteus make up even though Proteus tried to rape his girl and had him exiled. It's implied that Proteus and Julia get back together and everyone is one big happy family.

I had hoped that this film would avoid Shakespeare's misogynistic 'bros before hoes' ending. At least Valentine didn't offer Silvia to Proteus in this film. Aside from the unsatisfying ending, I enjoyed this tale of true love, friendship, betrayal, villainy, and without earning it-reconciliation. Ruan and Jin Yan always had a nice chemistry, even if they were playing siblings. Lin Chu Chu as Silvia gave a wonderfully spirited performance as the woman who was loyal to Valentine and to her new friend Julia. It was an interesting take on the military with women leading the men and in uniform in various situations.

The existing film that I watched had been cropped. The words on the intertitles were cut off on the left and bottom. At other times, the film was damaged making it hard to read the light words. There was no music. I've watched enough silent scoreless films that the lack of music doesn't even register anymore. This film felt very ambitious compared to other silent films. Though the core cast had most of the lines there were numerous extras. Silvia's plum blossom room came across very stylistic. Aside from the military camp, the characters were filmed in what would have been beautiful, wide scenery. Silvia escaping on horse with the dastardly Thurio right behind her was exciting and well shot.

I think Shakespeare would be pleased that his play was first made into a move in 1931 and is still available nearly 100 years later. He might have had to get used to the idea of women as actresses but I think Ruan Ling Yu and Lin Chu Chu could change his mind.

8/26/23

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