Words are futile devices

Rating: 9/10 (26 February 2018)

It's difficult to articulate precisely what makes this film so phenomenal. It may sound cliché, but words truly can't capture its ravishing, almost magical quality. Few films are able to transport me so fully that I feel I'm there with the characters, experiencing each moment as if it's happening in real time. There is something so palpable about this film, like you can just reach out and touch it. The setting and mood are absolutely intoxicating to the point where you can almost feel the water through your hands and the sun on your face. Pinpointing how the film creates this effect is nearly impossible because it's really the combination of so many things: the colors, lighting, editing, music, pacing, and, of course, the incredible performances by its two leads. This is definitely a film that lives and breathes in the subtle details, which collectively create a feeling of richness and depth. Crucial as well is the film's masterful use of restraint in its patient, languid rhythm that perfectly captures the feeling of a lazy summer afternoon. Overall a beautiful, poignant love story that feels simultaneously intimate and overwhelming; blissful and melancholic. Destined to be a classic. Hell, it already feels like one.
Decent 4.5/5