djhreg
Joined Mar 2004
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Reviews22
djhreg's rating
We loved this movie! Fantastic performances by Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba. The rest of the cast were excellent as well. Visually rich, entertaining tale, with nuanced and subtle layers of history, philosophy, and psychology.
Of course, history, philosophy, nuance, and subtlety are not for everyone. A substantial portion of the movie-going public prefers loud explosions, exciting car chases, and manly men shooting high-powered firearms. Obviously sensitized to the preference of that portion of their readers, main stream media critics have been very skittish about praising this film. They generally acknowledge the outstanding performances of and chemistry between Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba. However, they then wander off into the weeds mumbling and moaning vaguely about the pace ("takes too long to get to the point") or ostensibly insufficient action ("not enough explosions") or something.
However, we headed over to our local dinner/movie place, ate some tasty food, pressed the recline button, and opened a bottle of wine. The pace was fine - perfect even. Very enjoyable. If you have a smattering of history background about the Middle East and the bloody fratricidal succession struggles of the Ottoman Sultanate you will enjoy the movie even more. In the end, however, this is a woman's movie about longing, loneliness, magic, and love.
Best seen on a big screen. Find a theater with comfy recliners that serves wine. Lay back, relax, and enjoy the story.
Of course, history, philosophy, nuance, and subtlety are not for everyone. A substantial portion of the movie-going public prefers loud explosions, exciting car chases, and manly men shooting high-powered firearms. Obviously sensitized to the preference of that portion of their readers, main stream media critics have been very skittish about praising this film. They generally acknowledge the outstanding performances of and chemistry between Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba. However, they then wander off into the weeds mumbling and moaning vaguely about the pace ("takes too long to get to the point") or ostensibly insufficient action ("not enough explosions") or something.
However, we headed over to our local dinner/movie place, ate some tasty food, pressed the recline button, and opened a bottle of wine. The pace was fine - perfect even. Very enjoyable. If you have a smattering of history background about the Middle East and the bloody fratricidal succession struggles of the Ottoman Sultanate you will enjoy the movie even more. In the end, however, this is a woman's movie about longing, loneliness, magic, and love.
Best seen on a big screen. Find a theater with comfy recliners that serves wine. Lay back, relax, and enjoy the story.
My wife and I were able to catch this on the opening night of the Austin Asian American Film Festival on June 23, 2022. Wonderful movie! Lots of creative energy among the cast. The pace is quick, the writing is fantastic, lots of sharp zingers. Most of the credit will go to writer/director Tom Huang and leading lady Ali Maki (as Margaret). However, Page Leong as the prototypical "FOB" Asian mom (Sophie) was also fantastic. That having been said, pretty much everyone was very entertaining. Each actor brought his/her own special energy to the role. The result sparkled!
After the show, we were lucky enough to have director Tom Huang and actor Dana Lee (as the difficult Dad) for a live question and answer session. They discussed the background of the story in Tom Huang's own experiences, but also the kind of interesting network-of-friends process for assembling the cast and the personal perspectives that each actor brought to the movie - not to mention the arduous filming conditions at the height of the pandemic. My take away was that this movie is a great example of the adage that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Particularly highly recommended for Asian immigrants, Asian Americans, and others who have married into the community. However, I think this movie will be a fun evening for almost anyone, even if you have no personal Asian connection.
After the show, we were lucky enough to have director Tom Huang and actor Dana Lee (as the difficult Dad) for a live question and answer session. They discussed the background of the story in Tom Huang's own experiences, but also the kind of interesting network-of-friends process for assembling the cast and the personal perspectives that each actor brought to the movie - not to mention the arduous filming conditions at the height of the pandemic. My take away was that this movie is a great example of the adage that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Particularly highly recommended for Asian immigrants, Asian Americans, and others who have married into the community. However, I think this movie will be a fun evening for almost anyone, even if you have no personal Asian connection.
