Yi Yi
One of the ironies of life is that often the most profound insight comes from the least likely of sources. Similarly, the emotional impact of this film is summed up by one of the least likable characters therein. “People live 3 times longer ever since movies were created.”
This film is built on the understanding that we crave the human experience. It understands that each of us is relegated to one life. To an outcome determined as much by external forces as by our choices. With only one life to live, we must explore the corners of the human experience through the lives of others. This film allows the viewer to do just that.
There are no high-octane thrills, no jump-scares, and no explosive action, but I was fully invested in the experiences of these characters for all 173 minutes of runtime. The slice of the human experience that unfolded before me was one of love, heartache, regret, and just enough hope to continue on. The emotions expressed by the characters were relatable, yet unique enough to be intriguing. The father sought purpose, the mother understanding. The daughter sought to be loved, and the brother sought to be seen.
Technically, Yi Yi continued to shine. The wide angle shots conveyed the feeling of observing from afar, while the closeness of the voices brought emotional investment to the forefront. The soundtrack drew me in.
Finally, I must mention the performances. Even though I couldn’t understand the language and needed subtitles to watch the film, I could feel what each character was going through, through simply a look or a tone of voice.
Thank you Edward Yang for this masterpiece.