Columbus

I first watched this in 2021 and didn’t like it. I didn’t get it, didn’t appreciate how beautifully shot it was, and didn’t get why critics loved it. I think I gave it a 4/10 on IMDB (and I still use it btw) Now, a few years later into my cinephile journey, I think its one of the most visually stunning, if not the most visually stunning, films I’ve ever seen. Every frame is indescribable. The plot is kinda bland and moves at Snail’s pace, but because the environment itself was a third character (and what a beautiful character it is) it kept me entertained Kogonada’s approach wouldn’t work for other films. It requires the surrounding environment to be so deeply connected to the characters that it almost mimics them. Here, he absolutely understood the assignment. I’ve never lived in a small town but I absolutely get what its like when you’ve outgrown your environment yet it shapes who you are The score is perfection. He knew exactly what this film needed to match its visuals. There’s this one scene where Jin asks her why she loves a particular building; the soundtrack and her muted voice while describing the building is one of the most beautiful scenes of all time for me Haley Lu Richardson was the standout, but everyone else carried their weight. Also, who would’ve guessed that the least popular Culkin had this masterpiece on his CV? Anyway, “I understand it now.”