‘The Breaking Ice’ (Anthony Chen, China) Capsule Review

I remember the first time I learned about metaphors in my 3rd grade English class which resulted in a poem about a bird flying away (a metaphor for growing up). Original, I know. While my poem was never considered in any prestigious art competitions, it is a perhaps an aspirational comfort to know that films of similar metaphorical depth exist at Cannes (and also TIFF). The Breaking Ice, a Chinese film that premiered in Un Certain Regard at this year’s Cannes Film Festival tells the story of three emotionally/professionally/physically lost young people as they find themselves through their relationship with each other. The films boasts beautiful lead performances and stylistic influences of both Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Wong Kar-Wai which build the illusion that the film has something profound to say. In actuality, every heady metaphor — including the reoccurring ice imagery — teeter between cringe and confusing. Director Anthony Chen’s alluring visual composition is overshadowed by an emotionally empty script, resulting in a piece of work that would do better as a sizzle reel than a feature film.