Better Days

I genuinely can't stop thinking about this movie, it affected me on such a deep level in so many ways. Quite possibly one of the best films I've seen in a while. I think it is important for this film to address the cinematography first, the use of close-ups, hand-held cameras and also clever editing crafts this claustrophobic and deeply moving atmosphere that never fails to convey every bit of emotion and pain that Chen Nian feels throughout. This film is difficult in a number of ways, namely the topic of bullying, both at the beginning with the frankly horrifying treatment of Chen Nian (and by extension Hu Xiaodie earlier), but also in the aftermath. It presents a real pressing issue, nothing of substance is actually done to the bullies, and when Chen Nian (accidentally) kills Wei Lai, no matter your opinion on the bully herself (she is a monster in my opinion), it still hits really hard. Something could've been done to prevent this ever happening. It says a lot that the one person willing to step up is deemed a punk by law enforcement, but ultimately Liu Beishan is the only one who actually cares. I think this film broke me, it is a masterpiece, and something many people should see.