Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, directed by Ang Lee and released in 2000, is a landmark film that combines martial arts with themes of love and destiny. Set in 19th-century Imperial China, it tells the story of legendary swordsman Li Mu Bai and his complex relationship with Yu Shu Lien. The film also follows young aristocrat Jen Yu as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and rebellion against societal norms.
As the story unfolds, Li Mu Bai seeks to relinquish his warrior past by handing over his treasured sword, Green Destiny, only to be drawn back into the fray by dark forces from his past and an unspoken bond with Shu Lien. This decision sets off a chain of events where Li Mu Bai dies from a poisoned dart set by Jade Fox during their final confrontation.
How does Li Mu Bai die in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is where Li Mu Bai’s character, who Chow Yun Fat has convincingly played, makes a tragic but beautiful exit in the film. At various points in the film, Li Mu Bai is apprehensive because of multiple issues including the revenge of his late master who has not managed to get closure even after killing his enemy.
His quest more or less ends when he comes face to face with the assassin of his own master, whose name is Jade Fox and who happens to have been the domineering teacher of Jenny Yu. In the course of their final combat, Jade Fox aims Li Mu Bai with a poison-tipped dart that deals a lethal blow.
Even when people are working to save his life including Jen Yu who frantically tries to find medicine to heal him, Li Mu Bai eventually dies from the poison. He reveals his love which he had locked in for a very long time to Yu Shu Lien and at the same time feels sorry for not being able to lead the rest of their lives in happiness. This feat is not only a manner of closure for him but also a tragedy from his demise that adds an extra dimension to his downfall.
What happens in the future in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?
The aftermath of Li Mu Bai's death reshapes the lives of the remaining characters. Yu Shu Lien is left to mourn the loss of Li Mu Bai. Her future likely involves continuing her role as a guardian of the peace, albeit now laden with the grief of what might have been.
On the other hand, Jen Yu, whose actions indirectly led to Li Mu Bai's death, is offered forgiveness by Yu Shu Lien, who encourages her to seek her path away from the shadows of her past misdeeds.
The final scenes suggest that Jen Yu may finally embrace the freedom she yearned for throughout the film. In a symbolic act, she leaps from a mountain, mirroring a legend of a man who jumped to make his wish come true.
This leap can be interpreted as her final break from societal constraints and her past. Whether this act leads to her death or a new beginning is left deliberately ambiguous, allowing the audience to ponder the balance of fate and freedom in the characters' lives.
What is the plot of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?
In Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, master swordsman Li Mu Bai decides to retire and gives his trusted aide the Green Destiny sword to keep safe. Trouble arises when Jen Yu, the alluring daughter of an aristocrat, steals the sword. Li Mu Bai and Shu Lien set out to recover it, which leads them to confront old enemies and face unresolved personal issues, blending physical and emotional conflicts.
The movie successfully blends different perspectives: there are several intertwined webs and love history, treason, and pursuit of independence. Per each of these conflicts resolution brings the characters closer to the bigger picture where the complexity of fate and the desire in different regrettable ways are analyzed.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon impresses not only with the story and impressive pictures, but the action also pleases, but rather tries to examine how much a human being is ready to go through for the sake of duty, while personal happiness lies within arms reach.
Interested viewers can watch Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+.