While Taiwanese cinema isn't the most sprawling well of creativity, it is the perfect breeding ground for first-grade arthouse dramas (Juliets, Eternal Summer, Island Etude). Stilted, subdued dramas are the main export product of the Taiwanese film industry and The Fourth Portrait definitely belongs to the best Taiwan has on offer. If you're looking for a slow-paced yet emotionally powerful and visually stunning film, look no further. To make it clear from the start, The Fourth Portrait is not a plot-driven drama. Rather it's a vignette of small events in a boy's life, interwoven with visual poetry. There's an overarching back story where 10-year old boy Xiang (who has lost his father to a fatal disease) is reunited with his mother, but this is merely...
- 5/18/2011
- Screen Anarchy
For all its good points, Chung Mong-Hong's sophomore film The Fourth Portrait comes across as a huge disappointment after his excellent debut, Parking. Portrait wants to be a thoughtful, moving account of a young boy's childhood - a wistful account of his formative influences bookended by a witty framing device (four different portraits, see?). But Parking's surreal flights of fancy were grounded by some strong, nuanced performances from its stars and a solid, if far-fetched story, yet Portrait slowly drowns in portentous symbolism and tiresome indie quirkiness. It's a beautiful film, and there's plenty in there to suggest Parking was more than just a fluke, but where Chung's first film was a compelling, rewarding piece of brain candy Portrait ultimately feels empty, predictable and worst...
- 5/8/2011
- Screen Anarchy
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.