The book this movie was based on was a best-seller and one can only assume was much more compelling than this film. It is a wonder to me that the movie is considered a classic romance because the best romances do require a plot! There is no tension; the Jennifer Jones character hesitates a little before jumping in to her affair but that's it. The rest of it is quite plodding despite lots of starry-eyed moments between the couple and professions of love. There is mention of communist strife in China but it's just a passing reference. Although Jones continuously brings up her mixed race, it's not really any impediment to their affair and there's no dive into the real problems that would have presented during that time. Her self-containment is an Asian caricature. As usual, William Holden is charm itself, but it has nowhere to go. The best part of this movie is the vintage footage of Hong Kong.
Review of Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing
