Three Times

Am I a philistine because I was a little bored by this movie? Perhaps I was just tired but this movie didn't do that much for me.

I'd wanted to see a Hou Hsiao Hsien film for a long time. His films are always highly touted as some of the best films of the past twenty years. Three Times was mentioned in many a 2006 year-end top ten list. I was excited to see it.

The film tells three different love stories, all cast by the same actors. The first one is set in 1966, the second in 1911, and the third in 2005. My favorite segment by far was the 1966 one. It reminded me a lot of In the Mood For Love.

The 1911 one threw me for a loop. I respected it as a piece of art but as a piece of entertainment, it kind of left me cold. Shot in color but presented as a silent film with title cards, it got a little old during its 40 minute run time. By the time the 2005 segment rolled around, I wasn't sure I had another 40 minutes in me. I made it through but I don't remember much about it. It was during the 2005 part that SHR fell asleep.

I'm more than willing to admit that I didn't give this film a real chance. I just don't know if I was in the mood for it. It looked great and the concept is really interesting. I also am still very interested to see more of Hou Hsiao Hsien's films. But, overall, Three Times, is not the film I was hoping to see - one of the year's best.

Directed by Hou Hsiao Hsien
2005, Year of U.S. Release: 2006
DVD