Skip to main content

Review: Columbus (2017)

Columbus (2017)

One likely would not jump to architecture as a universal topic for one to build a film around, however, first-time director/writer Kogonada's Columbus is an utterly beautiful and contemplative film that most everyone should be able to connect with in one way or another.
The film, taking place in "the Midwest Mecca of Architecture", Columbus, centres on two seemingly-different individuals - one, a recent high school graduate, working at a library while also taking care of her recovering mother, and, two, an older man who has come into town to visit his father who is in the hospital and whom he has not spoken to in over a year. The girl, Casey (Haley Lu Richardson), is an architecture enthusiast; she even has a long and detailed list of her favourite buildings in the city. The man, Jin (John Cho), states that he has no affinity for architecture, though his father is a professor and leading mind on the subject, and so Jin has a deep attachment for the subject whether he chooses to accept it or not. Casey and Jin unintentionally meet and subsequently gravitate towards one another, and through their long discussions on architecture and life, while visiting landmark after landmark, help each other to come to terms with the less-than-ideal and often sad circumstances they are currently contending with in each of their lives.
Columbus is a true testament that independent films are still able to thrive in this day of big-budget studio productions. Columbus is a stunning film; its cinematography and composition are both equally as important as the story that unfolds through it. This is illustrated no more than through the many shots of the characters simply walking with the focus for the viewer being on the architectural backdrops, or the cut-aways from conversation to simply show off buildings and vistas. What makes the film even greater are the phenomenal performances by the two leads - Cho (a well-recognized face at this point) and Richardson (who I did not previously know of, but really blew me away). Complementing them are supporting roles by Parker Posey, Rory Culkin and Michelle Forbes. Columbus is one of those unique films that takes you by surprise and holds onto you long after the credits roll - it is absolutely one to see. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Palm Springs (2020)

Palm Springs (2020) TLDR: An entertaining story of a man and woman stuck in a same-day loop, an entertaining story of a man and woman stuck in a same-day loop, an entertaining sto -- While not the first and definitely not the last take on the 'time loop' story, Palm Springs succeeds as a contemporary rom-com due to the strength of the two leads, the film's consistent laughs and shocks, and an underlying and compelling depth at the heart of the story.  Palm Springs is yet another highly-recommended indie film that gives new life into a well worn genre and premise. The time loop setup has been attached to pretty much every type of story at this point from action to horror, drama to rom-com. Of course, one of the originals, Groundhog Day, may be the most similar to Palm Springs in its somewhat kitschy romantic comedy. However, Palm Springs has contemporary stylings in its honest and flawed characters, its edge and bouts of crudeness/violence, and its tendency to ve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: How to With John Wilson (Season 1)

How to With John Wilson (Season 1) TLDR: It's hard to describe exactly what How To is or why exactly it works, but there's a certain point in every episode when the comedy begins to click and then the human element - the surprising poignancy and the everyman/woman relatability - comes out in spades. This documentary series is unlike anything else out there and absolutely worth your time. Who exactly is John Wilson? That's the first question that comes to mind when HBO's new documentary series is recommended to a new viewer. The name is in the show's title, and yet John Wilson is rather a nobody in the grand scheme of things as well as in the entertainment industry (at least he was prior to the becoming a bonafide hit). However, not long ago, contemporary comedy icon Nathan Fielder discovered Wilson and, after seeing his work and style, decided to jump on board as a producer for a new series made by Wilson.  So, again, what exactly is this show? Well, each episode of...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discussion: Parasite's Big Oscar Win

Parasite: Ushering In A New Era For The Oscars? Last night's Best Picture win by Parasite was a major milestone for the Academy Awards. It marked the first time in history that a foreign-language film won the Oscars' highest accolade. As many voices are currently discussing, this may be the precursor to a new era of internationalism for the Academy Awards, as well as, for Hollywood and Western cinema.  Firstly, let's just say with certainty that Bong Joon-Ho's Parasite deserved the myriad of awards it received last night: Best International Feature, Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture. Notably, making the wins even more special was the fact that it was the first time a South Korean had been nominated for either Best Picture or International Feature. Parasite really is a marvelous film though, and one that should be seen by all. The film is about a 'parasitic' lower-class family who slowly infiltrate an upper-class family through various i...
Post a Comment
Read more