Yi Yi (8.4/10)

Yi Yi (2000), directed by Edward Yang, is widely regarded as one of the top 50 films of all time. Mostly in Chinese and Japanese, the film runs three hours and explores the intricacies of daily life through the lens of a Taiwanese family. Life is depicted as a mix of joy, loss, love, and regret, often in subtle, understated ways, emphasizing careful observation and the beauty and sadness present in ordinary moments. The acting is phenomenal—10/10 across the board. The reason I don’t rate it higher is the combination of subtitles and the three-hour length makes it a challenging watch for the average viewer, and I’m not sure it’s a film most people should invest that time in and if I would push for someone else to watch it. "Set in Taiwan, the story follows the Jian family from the alternating perspectives of three main members: father N.J. (Nien-Jen Wu), teenage daughter Ting-Ting (Elaine Jin), and young son Yang-Yang (Issei Ogata). N.J., dissatisfied with his current job, tries to gain favor with a prominent video game company, while Ting-Ting and Yang-Yang navigate the trials of youth. Meanwhile, the family cares for N.J.’s mother-in-law, who lies in a coma, adding another layer of reflection on life and mortality."