I've been watching a fair few art house movies recently, and I've found that they tend to fall into a love/hate camp; there's little middle ground in this genre. UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES is a meditative Thai exploration of Buddhism that wastes its early promise by falling into a pit of endless boredom.
The story begins promisingly enough, a tale of magic realism with some decidedly odd and unique offerings: the introduction of a primate from the jungle and an apparition at the dinner table set this up to be something really special. Unfortunately, after this point it feels like the writer gives up, and very little happens from this point in.
Viewers are treated to an interminable scene of characters wandering through a cave and a head-scratching climax which the writer doesn't bother attempting to explain. It's all very frustrating, with much head-scratching and dull interludes, long segments that tell obvious stories and a cast who give anything but impressive performances. The characters remain cold throughout, as indeed my heart remained cold to this film's intentions.
The story begins promisingly enough, a tale of magic realism with some decidedly odd and unique offerings: the introduction of a primate from the jungle and an apparition at the dinner table set this up to be something really special. Unfortunately, after this point it feels like the writer gives up, and very little happens from this point in.
Viewers are treated to an interminable scene of characters wandering through a cave and a head-scratching climax which the writer doesn't bother attempting to explain. It's all very frustrating, with much head-scratching and dull interludes, long segments that tell obvious stories and a cast who give anything but impressive performances. The characters remain cold throughout, as indeed my heart remained cold to this film's intentions.