Having shared the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival this past spring (with "The Piano"), "Farewell My Concubine" is a stirring, epic Chinese film that covers more than half a century in the flamboyant story of two opera stars and their turbulent relationship.

The film opens with a wrap-around device as a pair of former opera superstars meet in an empty Peking stadium in 1977, dressed in full costume and ready to perform. An elderly caretaker recognizes them and turns on the stadium lights. Then, as they approach each other, the film flashes back to 1925 to begin their story.

Cheng and Duan meet as children, with Cheng being left by his prostitute mother at a strict, harsh training school for future opera players, the All Luck and Happiness Academy. But there is no luck or happiness here, as Cheng is about to find out.

At first shunned and harassed by the other students, Cheng is eventually taken under the wing of Duan, as both battle the violent and torturous rigor of their training, with Cheng unwillingly fated to play female roles and Duan taking the male leads opposite him.

As they grow older, the two remain close and become opera stars together.

Their lives also seem to parallel the ancient opera they most often perform, "Farewell My Concubine," about a king and military hero who is about to lose his kingdom to a rival, though he cares more about the concubine he loves.

Meanwhile, in the background, the politics and culture of China are changing, especially when the country is invaded by the Japanese in 1937.

Things get complicated when Duan does not seem to notice Cheng's romantic homosexual feelings for him. Initially Cheng remains silent about his feelings — especially after Duan marries a high-class prostitute named Juxian (Gong Li, of "Raise the Red Lanterns," "Ju Dou," etc.). But later, in a jealous rage, he breaks off their partnership.

After Duan's marriage, Cheng takes up with a wealthy older manwho becomes both his patron and his lover and goes solo. But the lives of Cheng and Duan are, of course, destined to continually intersect.

Overblown and wildly flamboyant, "Farewell My Concubine" boasts some startling moments, a few grand set-pieces and excellent performances all around. It is, however, ultimately a rather lightweight yarn, despite its ambitions, due largely to the story and style, which never rise above the boundaries inherent to melodrama.

Still, it is most engrossing and entertaining.

"Farewell My Concubine" is rated R for violence, profanity, vulgarity, nudity, sex and drugs.