The Color of Paradise

1/2

Rating: Mixed

U.S. Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
U.S. Release Date: March 24th, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, Foreign
Film in Persian (Farsi) with subtitles
Running Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Director: Majid Majidi
Cast: Mohsen Ramezani, Hossein Mahjoub, Salime Feizi, Elham Sharifi.

Plot: A blind boy returns from his school for vacation to find his father doesn't want him and thinks he is a burden. His sisters and grandmother love him, and he loves them, but his father doesn't allow them to be together. The boy has a special sense for beauty, and is caring and kind. He is sympathetic to others, and pays complements frequently. He meanders through Persian scenery feeling flowers and the joy of the world. However, his father intent on getting rid of him takes him to a blind carpenter. But, things might change after the grandmother's death, if the father allows it.

      Critique: The Color of Paradise delivers gorgeous scenery, and has one of the best photography jobs of the year. However, that just makes the film even more disappointing. Between the screenwriter and director Majidi there seems to be a lack of understanding of how to make their characters talk. Instead, of discussion Majidi uses religious rhetoric. It is obnoxious, and annoying. Instead of characters solving things together, people just die off. Also, even the ending is ridiculous, and overly artsy.
        Nonetheless, I will reiterate that The Color of Paradise is almost worth seeing just because of the cinematography. The views are gorgeous, the wheat fields, flower patches, all awe-inspiring. It truly is a visual fiest. This is the kind of landscape we need to see more often. It just about redeems the screenplay and Majidi's arrogance and love of himself.
       In conclusions, the story is flat, and the performances are average. The film is pointless and obsessed with its own preachings. The gorgeous landscape is almost worth watching the film, but not quite. I do not recommend this film.

                                        review by supernothingman