I'm so glad you liked it!!! it honestly feels so masterful—such a long film; so many different storylines; all of them satisfyingly drawn together and reflective of the complexity of real life
I was describing it to a friend and the analogy I used was chamber music. When you first watch, it can seem like a meandering slice of life. On a second or third viewing, however, you understand how carefully structured it is, how the experiences of the three main characters parallel and contrast with each other, how the script and especially the editing connects their experiences at three different life stages. It's like three different instruments playing the same melodies, or one taking the lead while the other two play the rhythm.
Something else that really stood out to me is the protagonist's hopes for a new business project with Ota, and how that eventually falls apart due to short-sighted people above him on the career ladder. As someone who's been in the business world for a long time, I can say that this is the film I've seen that best captures the sense of possibility at the beginning of a new, promising business project and the disappointment when that opportunity just doesn't happen.
(And Ota is just a fantastic character; Issey Ogata always comes to play, at least in the movies I've seen.)
Thanks for covering one of my all-time favorite films.
As to whether it's canonical, it finished 90th on the 2022 BFI/Sight and Sound Poll (critic's list) and tied for 93rd on the directors' list. That's evidence for canonicity, and for good reason. I think it is one of the best films of the century so far.
Have you seen Taipei Story and/or A Brighter Summer Day. And, if so, what did you think?
thank you for reading, Robert! I haven't seen either yet, sadly—the local indie cinema near me (Roxie Theatre in SF) had an Edward Yang week, but I missed most of the showings
will have to carve out time for Taipei Story sometime this summer…and I'll definitely write about it in a future post if I do!
Ps. If the NYT did a list of the top 100 films of the century so far, Yi Yi would probably finish in the top ten and maybe in the top 5.
In the Sight and Sound top 250 from two years ago, it trails only Spirited Away, Moonlight, Portrait of A Lady on Fire, Mulholland Dr. and In the Mood For Love among films from this century. (Edit: on the directors' list it trails only A Separation, La Cienaga, Tropical Malady, Mullholland Dr. and In the Mood for Love.)
Just watched Yi Yi on your recommendation and have to say it’s an instant favorite!! Thank you much.
I'm so glad you liked it!!! it honestly feels so masterful—such a long film; so many different storylines; all of them satisfyingly drawn together and reflective of the complexity of real life
It is masterful.
I was describing it to a friend and the analogy I used was chamber music. When you first watch, it can seem like a meandering slice of life. On a second or third viewing, however, you understand how carefully structured it is, how the experiences of the three main characters parallel and contrast with each other, how the script and especially the editing connects their experiences at three different life stages. It's like three different instruments playing the same melodies, or one taking the lead while the other two play the rhythm.
Something else that really stood out to me is the protagonist's hopes for a new business project with Ota, and how that eventually falls apart due to short-sighted people above him on the career ladder. As someone who's been in the business world for a long time, I can say that this is the film I've seen that best captures the sense of possibility at the beginning of a new, promising business project and the disappointment when that opportunity just doesn't happen.
(And Ota is just a fantastic character; Issey Ogata always comes to play, at least in the movies I've seen.)
Great piece! Enjoyed all the photos that complemented it as well.
Thanks for covering one of my all-time favorite films.
As to whether it's canonical, it finished 90th on the 2022 BFI/Sight and Sound Poll (critic's list) and tied for 93rd on the directors' list. That's evidence for canonicity, and for good reason. I think it is one of the best films of the century so far.
Have you seen Taipei Story and/or A Brighter Summer Day. And, if so, what did you think?
thank you for reading, Robert! I haven't seen either yet, sadly—the local indie cinema near me (Roxie Theatre in SF) had an Edward Yang week, but I missed most of the showings
will have to carve out time for Taipei Story sometime this summer…and I'll definitely write about it in a future post if I do!
Ps. If the NYT did a list of the top 100 films of the century so far, Yi Yi would probably finish in the top ten and maybe in the top 5.
In the Sight and Sound top 250 from two years ago, it trails only Spirited Away, Moonlight, Portrait of A Lady on Fire, Mulholland Dr. and In the Mood For Love among films from this century. (Edit: on the directors' list it trails only A Separation, La Cienaga, Tropical Malady, Mullholland Dr. and In the Mood for Love.)
If you have the Criterion Channel, it and A Brighter Summer Day are on there.
enjoyed this a lot, ty for writing
thank you! for reading and for the kind words 💗