Review of Golden Door (2006) by Liliana C — 01 Aug 2008

Wow. I did not expect something this spectacular going in. Itâ??s a bit like on big crescendo from start to finish. It seems to just keep getting better and better. This is a textbook three act screenplay and it has been made into a wonderful film.

Itâ??s ridiculous how symmetrical it is. Iâ??ve never seen anything quite like it. I would certainly describe portions of it as magical realism. It is beautifully photographed, composed, and executed.

Numerous scenes take on a haunting or exhilarating quality that wonâ??t soon be shaken from the viewer. The casting couldnâ??t easily be improved upon and the performances are all very believable. Gainsbourg is ridiculously beautiful as always and delivers a knockout performance.

Itâ??s a powerful, grand, magnificent, and epic film made on the most intimate scale. The intensely personal story shown here is but a small part of the incredible migration hinted at and depicted in the film.

This is a monumental story carried out gracefully and in a seemingly effortless manner. Itâ??s easy to love a film this good about an interesting and rarely seen or contemplated part of our past. Itâ??s poetic and touching; harsh and cruel; funny and romantic.

Governmentâ??s are strange and gigantic beasts of machinery. Any film that leaves me spellbound with goose bumps at the end is a masterpiece in my book. Bravo.