A pleasant, slow-paced, easy-to-follow piece of thematic experimentalism, the film has a lot to like in its compositions, editing and mischievous ideas about the lives of others. It's the second Tsai Ming-Liang feature I've seen (after Visage), and while I still enjoy his pacing, his surreal sense of humour, and his preference for themes over narrative, I do worry that he's another of these auteurs (Hsien, Lynch, Almodovar) who are destined to repeat themselves ad nauseam. Hope I'm wrong though.

Tsai's greatest film and an art film that is impossible to pin down. A movie that pines for missing love, both familial and romantic. Lingers in the senses.

An interesting experience, despite the slowness all over. It is a good demonstration of this disease called loneliness...

Almost endlessly fascinating and interesting, fairly touching and heartfelt in a very weird way.

Starts out as a suprisingly funny film with many moments that carry with them a certain melancholy tragedy, or at least something honest about the character's emotional situation that would be painful if it weren't so darn amusing. And yet, as the film goes on the tragedy of the situation becomes more and more palpable and devestating. The ending offers us no solutions, but rather a quiet, calm break from the trials of the journey. A nice rest before we wake up and the confusion restarts again.

Great.

What Time Is It There is my favorite Tsai film so far. Unlike the three others of his I've seen so far, which to me felt much more gimmicky, this one justifies its slow pace and "artsyness" very well. I suspect I may have saved the best Tsai for last, though, since three of the four movies of his that I haven't seen seem to be considered to be among his four best (What Time Is It There being the last of his four best).

Starts out as a surprisingly funny film with many moments that carry with them a certain melancholy tragedy, or at least something honest about the character's emotional situation that would be painful if it weren't so darn amusing. And yet, as the film goes on the tragedy of the situation becomes more and more palpable and devastating. The ending offers us no solutions, but rather a quiet, calm break from the trials of the journey. A nice rest before we wake up and the confusion restarts again.

Is This Movie Over Yet?

I found this to be A LOT more interesting and dynamic than The River. It also hit the comedic notes better, and had characters which I enjoyed following. The beautiful visuals are retained as well, but so is some of the droning atmosphere, which is bound to split viewers. That said, I didn't mind having to watch this.

A very 'free' type of film, from what I gather, its Tsai Ming Liang's style.

I got this to see an old Leaud. And man does he look old. This film is really beautifully shot but it is forgettable and slow moving. 2 minutes of screen time for Leaud, annoying!

The cinematography was nice, but that's about all. I mostly like narrative and atmosphere in films, and this has neither. The problem with films like this is that unless you're on the same wavelength as the director, you're not going to enjoy it. I tend to dislike 'meditative' films because I find them lazy, but they can sometimes work. This one didn't for me.

The most accessible and funny of Ming-liang Tsai's films to date, it still doesn't compromise his oblique take on human pathos. I saw this film in Chicago and the director was there. When asked what the significance was of featuring excerpts from The 400 Blows, he said it didn't mean anything; he simply liked the film. And I don't think he was taking the piss, either. That anecdote confirmed what I've always said: His films aren't pretentious. For him they're all natural. So, enjoy the silence.

Don't hold me to this, but this might be my favourite Hsiao-hsien Hou movie - ever. I found Belmondo's cameo to be particularly poignant.

Tsai's exquisite formal control, understated playfulness, and humanist vision make this my favorite of his films. Loneliness pervades, but the palpable desire for lasting connections comes through in nearly every shot. And while Tsai's camera moves very little, there's a lushness to each shot that rewards contemplation. The film also raises the notion that while time might keep us apart (generationally and geographically), we remain connected to one another through our affections for each other.

A funny film about isolation and mourning. Really well done.

Good Movie

very powerful beginning, twice as powerful ending. In between - a calm, peaceful meditation upon melanchony and alianation. The denouement just before the end- lone and frigid sex after desparate searching for love. Bravo Mr. Tsai!

"Tsai Ming-liang's ghosts are painfully aware of their not-being." - Ed Gonzalez

I don't really get the film as a whole but I like all the parts. The static camera, the lingering pace, the dark subtle situational humour are all very impressive and enough to keep my interest.

I heard a really great description of this film. It's like when you are at a party at a friend's house and that friend has an odd painting. You're looking at it a few moments and eventually some friends come to look at it, too. You all make little jokes and quips about the painting. Then your friends leave and you are left looking at the painting going, "That sure is something." That's this film.