04/14/2002 Entry:
"Yi Yi -Edward Yang (2000)"

A wonderful film. I had seen this on the train recently, and I wanted Bethany to see it. I also wanted to see it whole and in one piece. Certainly the dramatic impact is greater without having to break it into three chunks. The middle section seemed more heavy than I had remembered, certainly a function of having to go through it all at once. The film has a very voyeuristic view. Many of the shots are taken from very far away, or from outside looking in through a window. The reflected window shots are magnificent, filled with color, implicating the reflection going on in each character's mind. The cinematography as a whole was excellent, great work by Wei-han Yang. I kept thinking of Magnolia while watching this, except the funloving presence of Yang-Yang (Johnathan Chang) keeps Yi Yi from being nearly so oppressive. I heard part of the audio commentary with Edward Yang, and I believe he said that this was Chang's first time acting. A really impressive debut. I may keep this around to go through the commentary at a later date. Certainly one of my favorite of the films I've seen in the last year or so. An example of how a simple understated style can create a work of beauty. I'm now quite interested in seeing the rest of Yang's work, despite the fact that none seem to be available on DVD. Maybe I can get them from overseas.