APA's Brian Hu wasn't much impressed with Dai's film, which he finds lacks nuance and plays like a standard critique of the repression and craziness of China's Cultural Revolution. His review can be seen at:
http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=29389

The NY Times' A.O. Scott, however, found the film satisfying and argues that, like Reading Lolita in Tehran, the film addresses the liberating power of books and reading.

http://movies2.nytimes.com/mem/movies/review.html?title1=Balzac%20and%20the%20Little%20Chinese%20Seamstress%20%28Movie%29&title2=Balzac%20and%20the%20Little%20Chinese%20Seamstress%20%28Movie%29&reviewer=A%2e%20O%2e%20Scott&pdate=20050729&v_id=266091 (registration required)

The LA Times Carina Chocano also recommends the film, in part because it focuses on "on individuals whose bravery consists of remaining resolutely human and true to themselves."

http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/chocano/cl-et-balzac26aug26,0,616328.story

Have you seen the film? What do you think of it?