Fully fleshed out individuals are what make the film palatable. Zhang Yimou just doesn't have what it takes to convey the kind of understated melancholy and wisdom that only men of learning can attain-his forte is portraying rural life. Lee really has him outclassed in that regard. "However, there are those Internet users who have sprung to Zhang's defense.
高度豐滿的性格，使這個故事更具可看性，文人獨有的那種體悟人生的淡淡悵惆，是以農村題材見長的張藝謀學不來的，他沒有李安的那份才情。」