La couleur du paradis

Mohammad is a young blind boy getting his education in Tehran's institute for the blind. With only a father and a grandmother left in his family, he looks forward to summer with them once school has finished. Mohammad is full of life even though he cannot see and is constantly exploring with his hands and his grandmother loves him for this. His father is a different story and wants Mohammad out of the way so that he can remarry in an arranged ceremony with a woman who doesn't know about his son. However his plan to send Mohammad far away on an apprenticeship brings him directly into conflict with his son's grandmother.

A popular choice for the Oscars in 2000, this film has developed this success and has garnered quite an audience as a result. The story is quite an emotionally involving one that is better than the basic description of the narrative suggests because this is driven by our sympathy/empathy for the characters involved. As such it works pretty well as it is easy to relate to the emotions of all of the lead three characters – even the bitterness of the father was something that could be understood and felt for, at no point was he simply a bad guy for feeling what he did. At times the story gets a bit too steeped in meaningful sentiment but for the majority it is a well observed and patient story that is quite touching at points.

The acting is a big factor in this working as well as it did. Ramezani is the most obvious one to praise and indeed he is praiseworthy for making his character real and convincing while never letting it become a "cute kid part" as so many brats can't help but do – he may have been drawing on things within himself but this is still a very real performance. Mahjoub is as good for the very reason that he keeps us caring about his character even if what he is feeling is not anything we can condone. Feizi's grandmother is an unremarkable character but she delivers it well with a solid, if unimaginative, portrayal and performance. The support cast are also strong but it was the lead three that made it what it was. The direction is good, sharing an eye for detail and little daily realities with a talent for the bigger landscapes.

Overall this is an impressive and enjoyable film that is beautiful to look at and has plenty to engage the heart. It may be a bit "up itself" at a few points but these are few and far between and the majority of the film succeeds thanks to well written characters and actors who deliver with an apparent good understanding of their characters.

Majid Majidi's COLOR OF PARADISE is the best kind of cinema. Simple in concept but executed with incredible skill and detail. We enter the world of a blind child in an incredibly intimate way, exploring his world of sound and touch and the isolation his blindness brings about. Almost ironically, we're also treated to some stunning images of lush scenery and locations. Absolutely mesmerising cinematography that even out-does the exceptional audiography.

Characters and their lives are simple but very believable, and the performances from every one of the actors is spot on. The movie exhorts us to appreciate life more, and makes a good case for doing so.

Highest recommendations!

I urge you to try to see this movie. The acting is brilliant but totally natural. I don't recall ever seeing a child who is as fine an actor as the boy who played Mohammed, and not for a moment did his "acting" ever get in the way of the story. The cinematography is breath-taking. I'm sure no one who has not been to Iran has any idea at all that it is this beautiful. There is plenty of symbolism for any particular point of view, which makes it fun to talk about after you see it, and although it is probably intended to be religious from the Islam point of view, you could probably find in this movie your own brand of spirituality, or lack of it, if you cared to try. I, a typically cynical and jaded New Yorker, and my completely enthusiastic and non-jaded adolescent daughter, both loved it and hope to see it again. So go see it and make it a success so we can get more movies like it over here!!

The Color Of Paradise was one of the best movies I've ever seen. It was so emotional that we couldn't stop crying. Mohammad (Mohsen Ramezani) acted unbelievable and I can't forget his innocent face with those beautiful smiles. I believe that Color Of Paradise had to win the 2000 academy award because from every aspects it was a perfect movie. The picture was one of the best pictures and so natural. I want to thank Majid Majidi and all casts for producing the most beautiful movie. also I want to thank Mohsen Ramezani for playing so beautiful in this movie. Keep continue the good job.

This film is one of the few films that can really touch everyone -- from the beginning to the end this movie gripped me, and made me sympathize with the main character on large levels. And not only was the film complete in its' development of the main character but it seems that each and every character that appear in this film are incredibly human and can be related to.

The story alone is touching, and with the great work done in the filming and great acting performances, this is one of the films that will really stay with me. As far as films go, this is a must see for anyone and everyone -- a film that unfolds a sad, human story as well as a great hope for the future all at the same time.