The House That Stood

What a beautifully meditative and haunting love story. The massive historical narrative is rendered with an uncanny intimacy and rich interiority that draws you in, and makes you lean forward and invest in the youthful, heartfelt romance. The performances are nicely understated and the camera's gaze has a lyrical glow that invites us have to have faith in the good that lies ahead, no matter what conflict the protagonists encounter along the way. In a moment of resurfacing prejudice and violence all around the world, there is a lot of value in stories that remind us the worst of humanity cannot dampen the best of it. And my goodness, the stylistic shift at the start of the third act is such an emotional gut punch. My heart jumped into my throat, it was so beautiful.