Yi Yi
"We never live the same day twice."
Yi Yi is a beautiful and profoundly human depiction of family. The characters are all portrayed so realistically, with each of their internal struggles and emotions being presented so honestly. Watching the characters in Yi Yi truly feels like watching real people interact, and the film navigates complex relationships and feelings with such authenticity. This gives a real sense of vulnerability to the film, making it feel all the more powerful, with the stunning visuals enhancing the overall atmosphere even more.
"We all wore uniforms, but yours looked different."
Most of the characters in Yi Yi are connected to each other in some way, and I struggle to think of another film that captures human relationships so earnestly. In real life, every single person has some sort of feelings towards every single person they interact with. I have personally never seen a film depict this sort of innate human behaviour, and Yi Yi portrays it perfectly.
"There's very little I'm sure about these days."
There are not many films that I feel immediately this personally attached to, but Yi Yi is certainly one of that select few. The familial dynamics at the centre of the film feel just as natural as the characters that make up the family. Yi Yi understands human connection and portrays it delicately but with such honesty at the same time.
"Now I've closed my eyes... the world I see... is so beautiful."