The Hole

It's less visceral than the only other Tsai film I've seen ("Vive L'amour"), but the idea of doorways (holes) into others' emotions and existences is vividly portrayed here, as Tsai sets up long shot after long shot, usually with long takes, suggesting a sense of alienation in Taipei. The musical interludes, inspired by Grace Chang, are perplexing but welcome mile-markers that add new dimensions to the slowly evolving relationship between the young man upstairs and the woman downstairs. It's not necessarily an easy film to watch (although it's not heavy-handed by any means), so I'd warn any casual viewers who are looking for some "indie" entertainment (like Tarantino or Guy Ritchie). But if you'd like to know something about isolation among city-dwellers in Taiwan, and something more universal about city alienation and romantic yearning, then watch this film immediately.

The whole world is falling prey to a lethal disease, and rain never stops pouring down : nevertheless, in this atmosphere of nightmare, a man and a woman discover that they are neighbors, thanks to a hole in the floor of the man's apartment. They fall in love : at least, all would not have been lost. Although this wonderful film expresses the loneliness and the weakness of human being, there is also some room for hope, in the shiny singing scenes.

This Taiwanese film interleaves two worlds: the external and prosaic existence of its two central characters, a man and a woman who inhabit a bleak urban landscape of decaying apartment buildings; and their internal thoughts and feelings which take the cinematic form of Hollywood-style song-and-dance numbers. A hole which is created in the ceiling between two apartments becomes a means for communication between the apartments' solitary occupants - conventional methods of contact are available, but are not utilised, for reasons never fully explained. The action unfolds with an almost unbearable slowness, reflecting the characters' lack of any sense of purpose or direction. In spite of (perhaps because of) this, it remains a rewarding and, at times, amusing tale, which is worth looking out for.

This film is a must see if it comes to your city. It doesn't have much dialogue and the subject matter is very dark. I was very surprised with how the story progressed. Also, there is a lot of tongue in cheek humor sprinkled throughout.

This is the movie I really like very much ,which was seen recently.Maybe,the tempo is a litter slow,and no dazing edit.But this film has its own flavor,tasting special and a litter bitter.Main scenes are just two apartment,downstairs and upstairs.But thanks to the hole,which makes this film so wonderful.It connects the whole space and characters' activities.I think this is very smart and intelligent plot design.so many things,which later happened to the man upstairs and the woman downstairs,are the sensible surprises given by the hole!

Disease,which is called Taiwan fever something, is spreading in this district.Government orders all the residents live in that district to move out and to other places the sooner the better.So some people who do not want to move out live a shady and restricted life like rats.They are limited in their narrow spaces.Even in this case,but for there is a hole leaking water,two neighbors will not say a single word to each other.And even in this case,the communications between the man and the woman are merely about leaking water.Tsai ming-Lang utilizes a litter hole to break out the limitation of space and stimulate two people's relation.But he has no idea to make two people dispel the strangeness feeling hidden in the button of the heart.

In modern society,not only are there walls that are used for buildings not easily being flying over,but also there are obstacles existing in people's hearts preventing them helping and communicating with each other.