Wow! Way better than I expected!

Rating: 10/10 (30 December 2007)

I saw this movie was rated highly on Netflix so I took a gamble. I had never heard of it before and was expecting something "good for me." It's one of those movies that I consider perfect for me. No pandering. No preaching. No explosions or shooting. Just a quiet, effective, emotional story about how people are affected both negatively and especially positively by simply observing each other. The quietness of the main characters belies the depth of the sacrifices they were making and the intensity of the feelings that motivated them to take such risks. The evidence of the changes in the characters was subtle but unmistakable.
To me it was a little like looking at the Grand Canyon for the first time. I just watched quietly with profound awe and wept at the satisfying end.
I would compare this with the quiet strength of The Station Agent or Remains of the Day. If you liked those, I think you'll like this.