How does one approach writing a review for a movie like "A Brighter Summer Day"? I'm not sure. No matter what I write, it wont ever be enough to convey my feelings about this movie, but I'll try. To call this film an epic is an understatement, but it is in every aspect of the word. This film has everything: a love story, betrayals, humor, revelations, life lessons, murder, intrigue, huge and diverse sets, incredible cinematography, memorable major and minor characters; but not only that, Yang comments on the political climate of Taiwan at the time this story takes place, he makes observation on the difficulties of growing up and finding your place in the world, he has insights on fragility of adolescent friendships and the difficulties of parenthood, and he talks with ease about the feeling of detachment that comes with youth. Edward Yang has done nothing less than created a world where every frame breathes with life and art and truth, and leaving the world filled me with a sense of remorse, and a want to go back. Though this is the longest movie I've reviewed for this site, I never found myself growing tired of the storyline or plot; I was constantly engaged and pulled from one scene to the next. I always needed to know what was coming next, and that's good for a movie that's darn near four hours long.
Review of A Brighter Summer Day
