Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles
Plot: When he hears his son is in the hospital, Goichi decides it's time to bury the hatchet. Once there, his son won't see him, and his daughter gives her father a videotape that shows what his son's been up to. Unsure of what to do, Goichi decides to contribute to his son's work, and he travels to China.
Watches
July 24, 2025
A nice Yimou Zhang, sporting a Japanese cast who are getting acquainted with Chinese customs. It's a nice setup, properly acted and directed, with a nice mix of personal drama and cultural heritage, but contrary to the first time I watched it, it felt like something was missing to make it truly exceptional.
Of course, I have seen way more Japanese and Chinese films since that first watch. And while the cinematography is solid, it's not up to par with Zhang's unusually high standards. But it's still a very interesting, well-directed drama, with some beautiful vistas and warm, heartfelt moments.
January 14, 2006
[review pending]