Well done romantic comedy; you can see some of the New Taiwan Cinema themes starting to show up (but not resolved) - modernizing Taiwan (and rising middle class), the dynamic between the colonizing KMT Chinese vs native Taiwanese, traditional cultural values vs western values. It’s fascinating to see a slice of life in Taiwan at this time, including the fashions. Interesting thought as it relates to Hou - you could see here the effects of a low budget in how he sets up and edits shots. Not so many shot-reverse-shots and close up cuts. More wide shots with zoom-ins.
Favorite films
Recent activity
AllRecent reviews
More-
-
The Boys from Fengkuei 1983
Hits Hou’s and New Taiwan’s early themes hard - adrift youth, urban alienation, a young industrializing Taiwan incorporating capitalism, urge to escape. Major I Vitelloni and Rossellini/de Sica Neorealist vibes with the nostalgic memory-like shots by the ocean, documentary feel, and classical music soundtrack. Also reminded me of Saul Bellow’s Dangling Man in its story of youth in limbo, awaiting military draft. Watching this is almost like watching my own memories, even though I did not grow up in Taiwan.…
Popular reviews
More-
The Crying Game 1992
If someone described this plot to you, you’d think that there was no way that all of these different elements would work together, but, for most of the movie, it does work, until the end, at which it seems that Neil Jordan couldn’t quite figure out how to land the thing. However, much props for the attempt.
-
Ghost in the Shell 1995
Rewatched on Criterion’s AI collection. Still holds up. AI discussion still relevant today.