DirectorD > ReviewsLive, Love, Laugh, Respect

I waited on this movie with great anticipation and for me it was well worth the wait. It was an excellent female action flick and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was a strong and plausible enough story line. The cinematpgraphy and lighting was lovely. I loved the location choices. Acting was good and funny when it was awkward. Fighting direction could have been better. Some of the action sequences were disappointing because the lack of contact was seen but all in all it was good. This was a wonderful challenge the the young actress and definitely an excellent choice to showcase her range after the lovely bones. Plot progression and the exhibition of the child's sometimes unconscieous inner conflict was excellent. The pacing of the film could have been faster but I assume it lends itself to a more realistic rhythm. It is well worth a watch

5/5 It was powerful. It was masterful. It was gut wrenching but great. Dark in the best way...in a real way. Poetic, soft and hard, weak and strong, lying and revealing the truth. It cut you and gave you strength. If this does not win an award then I don't know what deserves it. It was given a 3.8 on IMDB; an outrage. It did justice to the play, "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf". The intentionality of the play was preserved giving voice to important issues that women of colour and women as a whole do face. Some new characters and stories are not a bother even if they were not in the play because they are relevant issues that women confront; real choices that women make; real mistakes that women live with. I cried. I screamed. I am recovering. If you haven't watched it then you need to. "Thank you Tyler for being bold enough to bring this movie, play, book, music, to the world. Thank you for an ensemble of talented women who poured their souls into their roles. Thank you for allowing every woman of every color to understand that they are not alone in those things that bring pain and torment to their souls. Thank you for giving them permission, through the character, to open up. Thank you for telling my story."-anjelathart (New Orleans, LA) I echo her sentiment because this movie is as light as mantle and as shallow as the ocean. Every woman should watch it. All this I have not mentioned the incredible acting, directing, pacing, cinematography, and music this film has to offer. All done exceptionally well. It might have felt stage-y but I think it makes it more of a piece of art because of it which lends itself to the frequent poems that are uttered in the film. I loved every minute of it. Some might call it cliche but most cliches are based on true facts and experiences. This film is not about the light of men but the darkness that women deal with. The men are not the focus and are severely underdeveloped as a result. They are the mirrors, props and catalysts for the stories to be told but it no different for stories centered about men's lives. It is beautiful in it's resounding cry of pain and call for strength and reflection. We each "find the root to pluck it out" so that we live and it dies.

This movie was a powerful gem. An amazing story of love and resilience, loss and hope, and above all else family. The cinematography bore some similarity to documentaries and helped tell the story through the eyes and voice of a child by the angles and elevations chosen. The pacing of the film was moderate almost imitating the walking pace of the characters in the film. The didactic and non-didactic sounds in the film made it feel completely authentic with no pretense showing the influence of other cultures on the local culture and psyche. This to some degree might help explain the greed in Thuy's uncle. The concept of family expressed in this poignant piece is the "family we chose", the ones who we care about that care about us. It was honest and pure in spirit and heart. Each character spoke truth into situation of another - holding up a mirror to it so that each of them can see it better. It sheds light on the life of street children to some degree and a system that does not always work in the best interest of the child. Her uncle personifies the id of Lan and Hai. He is not kind, generous, tender, loving, sensitive or selfless. His concern was how he was being perceived and not the welfare of the child that he was entrusted with. His aim was exploiting her and benefiting financially from her life and not making an effort to give her a quality life while preparing her for the future. He saw no potential in her. This aspect of his person is one of the chauvinist, sexist, ageist. This inequality between the sexes occurs a lot in many cultures. Overall the film leaves you inspired and hopeful because while showing some of the bad aspects of us as humans it was paralleled with the awe inspiring goodness that is inherent in us all.

This story is both strange and compelling. Raw in its essence. The hypnotising dance that causes these characters to be bond to each other is astounding and unorthodox. Against all odds and reason they found a common language without words. The performances given by Keitel (George) and Hunter (Ada) were remarkable and powerful. Jane Campion's weaving of the Maori culture adds complexity to the story and lends a new pair of eyes to the same situation subtly. She is indeed an excellent director and writer. The choices in manipulation of light and cinematography framed the story in the most movingly haunting way. Within the frame that starts out so black and white with shades of grey and brown, a burst of red penetrates it as Ada's life is penetrated by him (George). Red is found with him and their love and the unravelling, as with her hair, ensues. Love can give you strength while rendering you helpless against it and Ada's release and rebirth are inevitable in the face of it. A truly profound movie and well worth the watch.