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Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives Image
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Metascore
87 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Suffering from acute kidney failure, Uncle Boonmee has chosen to spend his final days surrounded by his loved ones in the countryside. Surprisingly, the ghost of his deceased wife appears to care for him, and his long lost son returns home in a non-human form. Contemplating the reasons for his illness, Boonmee treks through the jungle with his family to a mysterious hilltop cave – the birthplace of his first life… In his signature cinematic style, the acclaimed Thai filmmaker delivers a strange and mystical world of visionary beauty. (Strand Releasing) … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Scott Tobias
    Mar 3, 2011
    100
    A moving, gently reassuring tale that softens the boundaries between humanity and nature, life and the afterlife.
  2. indieWIRE
    Reviewed by: Eric Kohn
    Mar 2, 2011
    100
    The magic of Uncle Boonmee is that it makes all viewers feel like the strange ones.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Simon Crook
    Feb 28, 2011
    60
    A gentle trance-out and the strangest Palme d'Or winner in a while.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 3 out of 5
  1. ThunderWalrus
    10
    These other users don't know what they're talking about. This movie is a cinematic marvel. Every scene feels natural even though many of them are surreal, and it leaves you with a great feeling. It's beautiful.… Expand
    • 1 of 2 users said yes
  2. filmtrashreview
    5
    I understand asian culture and how they relate to death and ghosts in a whole other way. However, I just can't get pass this simple fact. How can your dead daughter appear next to you and you not be shocked and then your dead son turn into a monkey and you act as if that isn't a big deal either. What the hell is going on in asia!!!… Expand
    • 1 of 3 users said yes
  3. Light
    3
    My favorite part of this movie came when I needed to go to the bathroom during a sequence when the main characters are walking through a forest. Music is playing, they are walking through the forest saying nothing, and I thought, "This movie is really slow and that diet coke has worked it's way to my bladder - time to go." So I went to the bathroom, checked my e-mail, listened to my phone messages, then walked back in to the theatre. They were still walking. I'm not kidding. Now, I'm a fan of Buddhism, I've been to Thailand...but this movie bored me to pieces. It has ten minutes of interesting spiritual/conceptual stuff, stuck in a loooong, sloooow, movie. Pretentious people will love this movie, because it will make them feel smart for liking it. Smart people will rent the dvd and watch it at ten times speed.… Expand
    • 4 of 7 users said yes

See all 5 User Reviews

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