Guan yin shan

I didn't believe any of the actors made contact with the feelings the characters were supposed to be feeling because everything comes off as an impression, rather than being anything of substance. I don't believe the director had a story to tell, as much as simply having a desire to make a film in this style. The hand-held camera-work didn't bother me, but the framing and composition of shots did. They seemed forced and almost precious, and the actors merely vogued their way through scenes. The story is uninspired. Three young drifters meet a single mom who is still mourning the death of her only son, and they all have an angst competition. That ought to be indie grill. But it's not in this case. It's just shots of people pensively staring off into space, and scenes of people pensively walking around aimlessly while the fog rolls by and the music meanders. Indie film school 101. It was very hard to finish this film because I didn't care about any of the characters. Caring about characters may not be necessary, although the director clearly hoped for it, so I'm going to make up a word to describe my experience and to differentiate it from simply not caring. I discared for the characters.

I don't even know what to write about this one. It left me a little empty but also very sympathetic. There are more than a couple of plot points I did not see coming. They make their mark. This movie is a lot of things but I couldn't describe it. I guess it made me feel a lot of different things.

Aimless, irreverent youths. Doing all manner of silly and outrageous things. And yet I kind of feel for them. They're a little lost and they mostly have each other and deep down they're good people in a lot of pain. I loved their train rides and the landscapes. Beautiful, but also desolate. No embellishment here. The urban landscape is harsh, as harsh as it can be. That shot of them standing up in the tunnel was reminiscent of the one in The Perks of Being A Wallflower. Only that movie came later. And there's no David Bowie. Just a rusty old train car.

The way their relationship evolved with the woman was very unexpected. Her taking them in was unexpected in itself. Her keeping them as renters after all their misdeeds even more so. I guess lost souls attract each other. I love stories about makeshift families. Even if it's temporary.

I can't believe this gem eluded me for so long.

I really like the story structure of the film, and the actors' performances, especially Fan Bing Bing and Cheung Ai Ka.

The background music, the directing style, and the language of the camera.

It exceeded my expectations.