Okay, here is a plot summary for the English version of the Chinese film "A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella" (一把青):
Title: A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella (英文名常为: A Chinese Odyssey: Cinderella Story)
Logline: In a fantastical blend of historical drama, romance, and comedy, two lovers are torn apart by the turmoil of war and time. Decades later, the woman finds herself living an entirely different life, while the man struggles with unrequited love for a seemingly unattainable woman.
Plot Summary:
The film is set in early 20th century China and follows the intertwined fates of two men and two women across decades.
- The Beginning: The story starts with the passionate and idealistic Luo Hai (Lu Tianyou), a writer, and his fiery, independent girlfriend Lan Huan (Gong Li). They are deeply in love but face obstacles, including Luo Hai's fear of commitment and the changing political climate.
- Separation and Transformation: Luo Hai and Lan Huan are separated. Luo Hai travels to Paris to pursue his writing career, leaving Lan Huan behind in China. Decades pass, and Luo Hai becomes a famous writer, but he remains single and emotionally detached, haunted by his past love.
- New Beginnings: In China, Lan Huan's life takes a dramatically different turn. Due to a series of misunderstandings and societal changes, she ends up living with an elderly couple and adopts the name "Madame Mao" (a nod to the real figure, though the character is fictionalized). She becomes a successful businesswoman, known for her shrewdness and toughness.
- Reencounter and Confusion: Luo Hai returns to China years later and reencounters "Madame Mao." He is instantly captivated by her strong personality and beauty, mistaking her for the woman he loved decades ago. He becomes infatuated with her, seeing her as the legendary Lan Huan.
- The Younger Generation: Luo Hai's friend and assistant, Zhang Guodong (Zhang Fengyi), a kind-hearted and slightly nerdy photographer, also becomes involved. He falls in love with Lan Huan/Madame Mao's young daughter, Jie (Sun Qian), who is naive and innocent.
- Unrequited Love and Comedy: The core of the film revolves around Luo Hai's intense but unrequited love for the older, successful "Madame Mao." His romantic pursuits are met with confusion, frustration, and comedic misunderstandings, as he cannot grasp why the woman he adores is seemingly uninterested in him. Meanwhile, Zhang Guodong pursues Jie, leading to humorous situations.
- Revelations and Resolution: As the story progresses, flashbacks and revelations slowly piece together the truth about Lan Huan's past and her current identity. The film explores themes of love, loss, time, identity, and the changing nature of relationships across generations.
- Conclusion: The film ends with a poignant resolution that addresses the central romantic conflicts, acknowledging the past loves while focusing on the present connections and the bittersweet nature of finding love later in life.
"A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella" is known for its unique blend of historical setting, fantasy elements (like the "Magic Mirror" that allows characters to travel through time in their dreams), romance, comedy, and poignant moments. The English title "Cinderella" is somewhat of a misnomer, as the plot is more about an older man's unrequited love for a successful businesswoman decades after losing his first love, rather than a classic Cinderella story.