'King Of Masks' is the beautiful story of an aged street performer and a little girl. It takes place in the 30's, with Wang (played very well by Zhu Xu) as a performer who uses cloth masks that change on his face in a second. One day he is seen by a female impersonator from the Sichuan opera, who invites him to join their troupe but Wang refuses, saying his tradition is one that is passed from father to son. Unfortunately he has no family, and when the female impersonator tells him 'do not die without an heir or your magic will die too', he decides to find a son he can pass his tradition to.

In a heartbreaking scene, he goes to an alley where woman are begging strangers to buy their children. There was a flood in the village and some of them can't afford to care for their children anymore. He's offered a baby but knows he can't raise an infant and is just about to leave when a little voice calls out 'Grandpa!' It's an adorable 8 year old boy that he pays $10 for. They happily go to his boathouse and he teaches 'Doggie' the way of the silk masks over the days. But after a while, the truth comes out-Doggie isn't a boy, she's a girl. Wang is angry at the deception and wants to throws her out.

She begs to stay, explaining that she'd been beaten by other foster parents and promises to do all the housework and be a good 'doggie'. He allows her to stay but is not as friendly as when he thought she was a boy. He teaches her gymnastics to expand the street performing and they make money together. Back then, street performing was looked at with awe and Wang has impressed the female impersonator, who invites him to a big performance.

Doggie gets in trouble, causing a fire at Wang's boathouse so she runs away. She wanders about town and is found by a couple of kidnappers. They've taken the grandson of a wealthy family and needs someone to take care of him. Doggie decides to take the little boy to Wang, knowing that would make him happy. She leaves him at the boat and indeed, Wang is pleased. But his joy is short-lived when he ends up going to jail for kidnapping. Doggie ultimately proves her love and loyalty by helping him.

Yes, yes, call it manipulative but I was in tears by the end of this film. The performances, particularly by the adorable Zhou Ren-ying, are outstanding. The whole subtext of the devaluing of girls in China was a good point as was the almost deification of the female impersonator (played by opera star Zhao Zhihang). The art of the silk masks was fascinating too. I'd be remiss not to give respect to Zhu Xu, a fine performance. This is a good family film too, if you're stuck on what to rent sometime.