ChicDragon
It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.
Teddie Blake
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
Janae Milner
Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.
danagabitova
Directed by Kim Ki-duk, and had a lot of positive reviews around the world. This movie tells the story of a person by showing the four seasons of his life which has changed him and taught the philosophy of the Buddhism from his childhood to the older ages. Throughout his life, the Master at the temple was his guide and influenced him.
From the start of the movie, an everyday routine of Buddhist monks are shown. Throughout the film, the older master is a representation of a true Buddhist monk, whose views of the world differs from the boy's. He tries to teach the boy through the lesson about pain and guilt, cruel consequences of desire, releasing the anger and about reaching inner peace, but already without being beside. At the end, we can see that the little boy in the past became a master and from spring the cycle begins again with another little apprentice. Through this cycle, I understood that being a person with inner peace is not inborn, but reachable.
I want to talk about one interesting thing in this movie. The door which opens the view to the floating monastery, and another two doors in it are actually do not serve as simple doors continued with walls. They are standing alone and anyone could just walk around them. But, mostly people use them as actual doors that help us to enter certain place. Even in the monastery, people sleep behind the doors, open them to look at someone. In my point of view, walking through the door is an established tradition, while breaking this rule is going on a string of desire. I think this symbolizes the teenager, who made a decision in the wake of hormones, and had unexpected consequences.
I think the camerawork of this movie should be mentioned. Watching this movie was pleasure because of soft transitions between scenes and stable shooting. Also, cameraman showed the beautiful nature of that forest surrounding the lake and hills. When picture is enjoyable, perception of the movie is always better.
The quality of the sound was also good, though the film was shot in 2003. However, the musical accompaniment was not rich. Sometimes, the Buddhist music (?) or sounds come out, but basically they focused on life sounds.
Ki-duk said of the film: "I intended to portray the joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure of our lives through four seasons and through the life of a monk who lives in a temple on Jusan Pond surrounded only by nature."
To sum up, I would like to say that this movie by Kim Ki-duk is very touching and realistic. All these teachings give an opportunity to all people to get to know with Buddhist religious traditions, philosophy and life of the monks. The story tells us that every monk become himself and reaches inner peace through experiencing and realizing the importance of it. But I think this can be related to anyone, despite the religion, nationality and gender.
Kirpianuscus
it is the first word for define it. because it is a not ordinary beauty. but a sort of trip in spiritual air. its gracious simplicity, its moral lessons, who define each religious attitude, its delicacy, the flavor of images, the ways of the young disciple and the presence of the master, the temptation and the joy, the precise manner to suggest more than present, the bitter temptation and the return are pieces of a fascinating work. and this does the film an event. or a precious seed for useful memories. because all is a form of reflection of the viewer. because each scene becomes a chance to discover yourself. like in a large mirror who discovers the hidden side of yourself. short, a film who must see. for remind old impressions about Extreme East. or for escape from the every day pressure and the temptations of media.
inioi
Poetic and influenced by Buddhist thought, this movie is a work of art in every way.It is obviously not for everyone, as his pace, almost without spoken script, and inherent philosophy, requires open minded and introspective viewers.Filming is in line with the script. Everything happens in due time. Neither before nor after. The life cycle is shown with detachment and objectivity. The destination which has come into existence on the first day of birthing is unfolding, and it will determine our lives until we begin to be aware of our actions.Actually, the film is similar to a Buddhist story.As the Old Zen Masters said: "Do not despise the story. A lost gold coin is found by means of a penny candle; the deepest truth is found by means of a simple story."8,5
joehemmings68
The first thing to say about this film is that visually it's gorgeous. It's set entirely around a lake with a temple that floats on it. It's an incredible location that remains as we make large leaps through time. The film makers have made the absolute most of their location with excellent cinematography. I also really loved the music which varies from ambient to amazing singing.I loved the start of this film, the spring section, it was a very early peak for me. Here we see the student of the temple as a young boy. In terms of child acting this is about as good as you'll ever see. He's allowed to behave in a perfectly natural way, rather than acting, and that gets the absolute best from the section. His childish ways of interacting with the world feel very real, and are both funny and poignant as he learns valuable lessons. The film continues with this more amusing tone as the student moves into maturity. Some of the comedy works really well here, and some of it falls a bit flat. I felt this is where the characterisation of the student fell a bit. The film has a tendency to draw things out in such a way that they can be very effective, but they can also be slightly awkward. The film becomes far darker and more serious, but also wants to retain a darkly comedic element, for me it doesn't quite work tonally. Throughout the film are two constants. The symbolism, and the Master. So much symbolism in this film which certainly adds a level of intrigue as you form opinions as to what the recurring imagery could mean. The director has done a great job of putting these things front a centre without having them be a distraction. The Master is a brilliant character, wonderfully acted. Subtle and mysterious, very little of him is revealed which gives him a wonderful air of mystery. All in all, this is well worth a watch. Beautiful to look at and will leave you pondering once it's finished.
