Review of Flight of the Red Balloon (2007) by Josh K — 05 Jun 2008
Not surprisingly, this Hou Hsiao-hsien film did not exactly entertain me. Don't get me wrong--the acting (particularly by Binoche) is excellent, the shots of the Parisian exteriors and interiors are really well done.
But, but, nothing happens in the film. Even though the nanny character, played by Fang Song, has as much screentime as the mother (Binoche), she is just a cypher. Does she like working for Binoche? Does she like studying in Paris? Does she have any relationship outside of the family she is working with? That's obviously not on interest to Hou.
The film is unusual for Hou's films usually have a dramatic arc where self-destructive characters have a realization of their true natures, but in this film the only dramatic arc is a subplot involve a tenant who is not paying his bills.
And what is up with the supposed homage to the Red Balloon? I guess I'm just not a cinephile of the calibur Hou is aiming his films at.
This review of Flight of the Red Balloon (2007) was written by Josh K on 05 Jun 2008.
Flight of the Red Balloon has generally received positive reviews.
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