Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Chanced upon the DVD at library sale and was attracted by the description of some co-operation between Beijing and Tapei. At the end credits it is acknowledged that they wanted to encourage bone marrow transplants.and obviously wanted to demonstrate with a successful one. To spice it up there is drama, action and romance. One unexpected twist was an earthquake in the midst of one operation and subsequent traffic problems that added to the time tension. The actors were more than competent and it took me a bit to realize that one of the crucial characters was the director Ko and he was excellent. I hope with my review others will check it out and deliver their opinions. It is well worth seeing.