1. VinceH.

   10

   To paraphrase David B., this is truly a "bending experience" in every sense of the word. From the mysterious and glazy opening scenes of soldiers and families in a rural farm eating, to the languid would-be love affair that constitutes the first half of the film are both perfect. The opening credits coming in about 30 minutes in, the gorgeous use of Thai pop music that Weerasethakul uses so lyrically, the amateurish acting and dialogue. It is all just magic. There is no way to describe it. None of this even comes close to the experience of the last 45-50 minutes of the film or so, when Keng explores the vast jungle searching for a ghost-tiger. This is easily the most pure and beautiful cinema I have seen in the theaters since "Spirited Away". The use of natural sound and the dark and disquieting texture that Weerasethakul creates is just mindboggling. As Dennis Lim says, it "promotes new ways of seeing". This is the kind of film that when you walk outside after, EVERYTHING will look different. There are really no words I can think of to describe the evocative state-of-mind and euphoria that this part of the movie put into me. I wanted to sit and watch it all over again, but unfortunately I caught the last screening in my town. IT comes to this: you need to see this film. Your life will be better for it (and no, that is not an overstatement).… Expand

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2. roberth.

   6

   After reading all the glowing reviews this movie received it turns out to be a major disappointment. the first half of the movie while sloppily put together is still engaging. the allegory half is so unoriginal it's irritating. while the photography is professional the narrative is strictly student film project and again very thoughtlessly put together. very forgettable.… Expand

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3. ChadS.

   4

   The structure of "Tropical Malady" bares a passing resemblance to John Sayles' "Limbo". The first half takes place in a community, and in the second half, the action shifts to a desolate location, void of people. This is the nicest thing I can say about this very, very, very demanding movie. The enchanted action in Apichatpong Weerasethakul's forest has its visually arresting moments, but it's too little, too late, after long periods of a static camera being pointed at a darkly lit soldier. The ghostly imagery of forest creatures is the creative domain of Hayao Miyazaki, who applies it to admirable pop culture entertainments like "Princess Mononoke" and "Spirited Away". The second half of "Tropical Malady" has the unintended effect of being like a Miyazaki film for adults.… Expand

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