Silent River

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source: Silent River

On the surface, Silent River is an intense, emotionally ambitious mystery that gradually yet relentlessly draws you in. A man driving a clunker arrives in a small desert town hotel with some luggage. It's just a stopover, but he can't help getting involved with a strangely familiar Chinese woman who's also passing through. Watching a man who is trying to figure out what's going on is only the beginning of the puzzle. Interacting with some curious residents, he inadvertently triggers events that spin out of control. Director Chris Chan Lee opens the film in a leisurely manner to make the most of the landscapes, interiors, lighting and mood to generate his unique personal vision. The acting and effects create significant momentum and energy that match. The mesmerizing soundtrack is a character in itself, leaving a distinct impression long after the end. Simply put, it's worth rewatching to discover everything you missed the first time.

The first hour of this story, right from the first shot, drew me in, slowly but surely. There's very little dialogue, and the performances of the two central characters are captivating. West Liang as the leading man is a compelling screen presence. He's got a rough, James-Dean like quality, but he's the kind of actor who could also play the bad buy, so there's a hero-or-villain tension. Into the mix steps the mysterious and appealing Amy Tsang, who knows how to say--and hint at--so much without using words. The two of them turn in excellent work. In the second hour the mystery expands and deepens. Criticizing the movie for being Lynchian is wrong-headed. The Ryan Gosling film, Lost River (2014), was criticized for being Lynchian without Lynch. So what? Is Lynch (one of my favorite directors) the only filmmaker allowed to make movies like this? A useless argument, in my opinion. Silent River tells a good story and keeps you involved. The music by Brian Ralston and cinematography by Norbert Shieh are essential components of the fabric of this story. Recommended. A double bill of Silent River and Lost River would make for a riveting evening of cinema.

This movie, clearly designed as a love letter to David Lynch, succeeds in giving its audience plenty of questions to analyze by the end of it's two hour fever dream. At times, gorgeous to look at and equally haunting to experience. West Liang's performance carries us through the mystery of his own making. He's is completely engaging and I yearned for him to find what he was looking for. Amy Tsang always impresses me with her grace and mystery. She feels like she walked right out of the school for Lynch's quirky femme fatales that you can't help fall in love with despite knowing only doom can follow them. The AI sub plot was a strange turn in the story but I did enjoy the performance and design of P2. All in all if you like mystery and sci fi, then you're bound to find something in this thoughtful addition to the sub genre of indie streaming movies.

Wow, this was an odd one. Unfortunately, for something this way out and most definitely in David Lynch territory, the film would really have been much better served if the creator/director had tightened up the story considerably. In order to be able to pull off something this offbeat, you really need to do it very well and give deep consideration to the details and pacing. With that said, there are some very intriguing moments in this movie. I love the ambiguity of it, something that many either will flat out not like or roll up their eyes until they reach the back of their neck : ) That's why I'm so bummed that the director didn't pay more attention to the pacing and overall length of the film. Because I really liked some of the ideas that the writer/director came up with. There are some truly interesting events. It's just a shame that they were not put together more efficiently, this really could have been a stunning film. The acting was decent. The cinematography was absolutely beautiful! Wow, what a look. Another reason that again, and sorry to be so repetitive, but I REALLY wish they had given more attention to the way it was structured. Also, as other reviewers have stated on other sites, the beginning hour of the movie is just TOO damn long and slow. It takes forever to get going. So much of that could have been cut out. So, basically if you happen to dig really 'out there', very ambiguous sort of Sci Fi themed films AND you are very, ***VERY*** patient to be able to wade through the entire 2 hours of the movie, then you might find some things here that you like. I gave it a very generous '6', mainly because I thought the film had a LOT of potential, had some really great inventive ideas, and had truly lovely cinematography.

I actually didn't mind the film...until it just started to feel like a 10 hour film in slow motion. It's just a beautifully made film that spins it's tires for 2 hours. Think an X-Files episode that David Lynch directed, the reality being---if Lynch directed it, it would be a more pleasurable viewing. For those with a short attention or lacking some sleep of late, take this as your warning; don't. If you like well crafted cinematography and interesting, dark premise with tinge of surrealism and science fiction--this could work for you---though on a larger scale, it promises and fails to deliver something larger. Comparable to After Yang with it's beautiful filming and bogs down within it's own "weight" and pacing.

I started this movie with low expectations. I knew it was an independent film and had heard it was somewhat Lynch-ian. As a huge fan of David Lynch, as well as other filmmakers whom I consider to be in a similar class (Takashi Miike, Lee Chang-Dong), I was wary of someone new (to me) creating something substantially good in that dreamy/mystical-realistic/ethereal sub-genre. Silent River rose to the occasion and I was immediately yet steadily drawn into a perfect ride provided by a beautifully paced, unexpected storyline; stunning yet gritty visuals; and superb acting. I'm now very happy to add Chris Chan Lee to my list of exceptional filmmakers as he has demonstrated the depth, setting, patience, and tension required to reach in and access the emotional plane of his audience. Lead actress Amy Tsang was completely present and entrancing while playing a very complex role with immense confidence and a natural ease. Lead actor West Liang embodied a raw palette of relatable emotions and their interaction was hypnotic. This was all supported by a small world of captivating settings and supporting characters. I have enjoyed sharing this film with my like-minded friends and family and am happy it's starting to get more recognition so many more can discover and enjoy its journey. I'm excited for more repeat viewings as I continue to peel the onion that is its story.