A Sun

Shining a light on the demanding, unforgiving side of Taiwanese life, director/writer Mong-Hong Chung weaves multiple layers of a family's tribulations while slowly pulling you in, even if you're not sure you want to.

Unremitting in its unsmiling grimness, this is not easy-going entertainment. Rather, it provides us with a glimpse into the souls of its characters, rarely dressing them up in the sentimentality and superficiality that permeate most films today. The payoff comes with just a smile or a warm gesture but those moments are too far between. Some wonderful animation, too. A nice touch is the convict son's name, - the humorously descriptive "A-Ho."

Some people want to find the sun warm, some people want to find the shadow to hide... In fact, as long as there is sunshine, there must be a shadow.

This is the story about a family with some issues that initially threaten to tear them apart but ultimately bring them together with a bond that's stronger than they'd ever had. At the center of it all is A-Ho, the youngest and least favored of two sons, the "black sheep", outcast and ne'er-do-well, and how he comes of age in spite of some really bad and life-altering decisions. The acting throughout is top-notch. The story is entirely credible and emotionally intense. Every scene in this over 2 hour movie held me captive and, at times, had me near tears. What a treat!

A dense, provoking and heartbreaking story that unfolds through the dialogues and faces of the dedicated actors with a unique fluidity uncommon in western movies. Mong-hong Chung isn't afraid of ditching a typical pace of storytelling and has carefully structured his visual poem to gradually challenge your perception of life. The realism of the lives of the main characters is masterfully shrouded by a sense of surrealness which is both disconnecting and provoking to the audience. A viewing that will make sure to have you wonder for a long time after the credits roll. It's currently available on Netflix and it's well worth your time and it will abundantly reward a patient audience.

This one was tremendous. Everything about it-- The acting. The story. The cinematography. Absolutely Brilliant.