Raise The Red Lanterns (Movie)

It took a lot of determination and perseverance for me to finish this movie. Within the first five minutes of the movie, (what with Gong Li delivering that monologue about marriage) I already got the impression that it would be abounding with competition, pain, tradition, and more tradition. It's clear from the start that Gong Li is younger, and probably more intelligent than the other mistresses. However, this does not necessarily mean she can outsmart the cold-blooded, manipulative second mistress. The entire household is a twisted web of deceit, scheming and competition. They are like wild animals, whose only instinct is to survive, even at the expense of someone else. I try to put myself in their shoes and my only thought is this: I would rather die than live in that house.