Movies
Tom Lin delivers one of the dearest, warmest and most charming films of the year, a beautiful, stylish and imaginative trip that glaces at the world through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl.
Ultimately I still prefer Lin's more frivolous side, but that doesn't change the fact that Zinnia Flower is quite the impressive drama.
Lin's latest is probably his most arthouse-leaning film so far, but the push towards a purer result made sense. The stark black-and-white cinematography is impressive, the subtle score adds to the drama, and the performances are captivating. It's not the most complex or original drama, but it's one of those films where everything is perfectly balanced and in place to drag you into the film's calming vibe. I don't have anything negative to say about this one, I'm just happy to see Tom Lin is back where he belongs.
A very solid film with strong acting all around, some very strong shots and camera work and a pretty touching story about a group of kids growing up.
The new Tom Lin film is a Pan-Asian project, which is definitely new territory for the Taiwanese filmmaker. It's also the first time he handles a book adaptation, those two things combined probably help to explain why The Garden of Evening Mists feels a bit more traditional compared to Lin's other work. The film is centered around the Japanese occupation of Malaysia, but highlights the unique relationship between a Japanese gardener and a young woman looking for her missing sister. It's a pretty classic and recognizable setup, not in the least because the story is told through a series of flashbacks. With Hiroshi Abe and Jessica Lee on board, Lin had the proper acting talent secured. It's a bit of a bummer most of their dialogue happens in English, but that was to be expected. The cinematography is nice and polished, but not too challenging, while the soundtrack hinges between moody and sappy. Overall this was a fine film, but Lin's signature style doesn't really come through enough, which makes it his "worst" film to date.Read all