This film is certainly a slow burn, but it rewards patience with beautifully mysterious scenes that evoke a wellspring of thoughts and feelings. The first half is an exercise in subtle surrealism; things are just slightly off. Things get more explicitly supernatural in the second half, but it never loses the sense of quiet strangeness that lurks underneath from the very first scene.
What stuck with me most was the visual and sonic beauty of the film. The landscape shots from the end of the film keep reappearing in my mind, hovering like a soft blue fog. The world seemed different when I exited the theater, more vivid and alive. And I saw myself in Jessica (Tilda Swinton), the lonely outsider who longs to understand why she hears things others can't.
I can understand why some may not have enjoyed the film. It certainly requires patience. The viewer must appreciate stillness and complex cinematographic tableaux. They should enjoy attempting to unravel a puzzling storyline that will not directly answer many of the questions that are sure to arise in their mind. It may be more enjoyable to individuals who are spiritually inclined, or who are comfortable not knowing the answers to the mysteries of the universe. But anyone who appreciates gorgeous cinematography and lush soundscapes will at least enjoy it from that perspective.
All in all, for me it is a crowning achievement, and an excellent English (and Spanish) language debut for director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, not to mention a stellar performance by Tilda Swinton. As it won't appear on DVD or streaming services, if this review speaks to you, then you must see this film in a theater while you can.
What stuck with me most was the visual and sonic beauty of the film. The landscape shots from the end of the film keep reappearing in my mind, hovering like a soft blue fog. The world seemed different when I exited the theater, more vivid and alive. And I saw myself in Jessica (Tilda Swinton), the lonely outsider who longs to understand why she hears things others can't.
I can understand why some may not have enjoyed the film. It certainly requires patience. The viewer must appreciate stillness and complex cinematographic tableaux. They should enjoy attempting to unravel a puzzling storyline that will not directly answer many of the questions that are sure to arise in their mind. It may be more enjoyable to individuals who are spiritually inclined, or who are comfortable not knowing the answers to the mysteries of the universe. But anyone who appreciates gorgeous cinematography and lush soundscapes will at least enjoy it from that perspective.
All in all, for me it is a crowning achievement, and an excellent English (and Spanish) language debut for director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, not to mention a stellar performance by Tilda Swinton. As it won't appear on DVD or streaming services, if this review speaks to you, then you must see this film in a theater while you can.