Mahjong

Oooooooo I think this is Edward Yang's best script so far. I'm a sucker for scripts that have multiple subplots converging into one theme, and this definitely scratched that itch. What immediately stood out to me about Mahjong is that while it's somehow the most cynical and critical of his works that I've seen so far... it's also the one with the most hopeful ending? And I find that truly beautiful. I was worried that Mahjong was going to end in the same nihilistic vein as Terrorizers and A Brighter Summer Day, so it's an absolute delight to be proven wrong. I think this movie just...works! Edward Yang movies usually focus on normal everyday people, so having us follow a group of morally bankrupt ruffians was definitely a nice change of pace. They're not only darkly hilarious to watch, but also genuinely scummy people without overdoing it. I also love how truly thematic this movie is. Every subplot in this one ties back to the loss of innocence and the corruption of capitalism, it really feels like the most political of all his movies. Why this doesn't quite reach 5 stars...I think some of the editing isn't the sharpest, especially for a movie like this. Might seem like a small nitpick, but it still matters to me. Also while I adore the ending in concept, in execution? It's a little too idealistic and out of place in term of tone. PS: THAT'S CAT??? FROM A BRIGTER SUMMER DAY??? oh my lord I can't believe it