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a perfect slice-of-life about life itself; all-encompassing. it’s not that time repeats itself here, but love does, along with all of our human impulses. we fight with our family, hold onto stubborn luck, fall in and out of love, and suffer one tragedy after another. it’s the purity of trust that keeps us locked in step with each other, sometimes wordless but with boundless affection. perseverance is a given in this world; there’s no doubt about it.
at the end, Yang-Yang delivers his letter to his grandma as his family looks on. they’ve all been grieving for ages before this. NJ, standing behind his wife, goes to sit down—not beside her, but across the aisle next to their daughter. she silently spills a tear. he grips her hand with stoic affection. they all keep looking on, seeing the past, the present, and the future all at once.
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I saw this movie at the Music Box theater in Chicago with a friend years ago when it came out. Although it's almost 3 hours long, I remember feeling engrossed by exploring a Taipei, a city I know very little about, and the simmering family dynamics.
Rewatching it recently after borrowing the for-real DVD from the Brooklyn library (extra recommendation: borrow DVDs from libraries), the realization of my own getting older and family transitions gave me a more introspective feeling. Heavy, but not sad.
Feb 14, 2024
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ok so yes this film is 3 hours. but I promise you it changes the way you see life from every point of life. its less about being in your 20s but more so how important life is at any time in your life, from a kid to a grown adult with responsibilities. i watch it once a year to remind myself that I can push on to be what I want to be in life
Apr 18, 2025
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I recently saw Jia Zhangke's latest movie, which was filmed in China over the course of 22 years. Half documentary, half fiction; Though they were short glimpses, the documented footage from early 00's Chinese culture really balanced the narrative in a way I'd never seen before. Without revealing more, I'll just say the soundtrack was perfect. Caught By the Tides is one of those slice of life movies with a slow build and huge payoff.
Jul 15, 2025
