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Category:    Home > Reviews > Drama > Comedy > Children > China > Flight Of The Red Balloon (2007/Genius/IFC DVD)

Flight Of The Red Balloon (2007/Genius/IFC DVD)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B-     Extras: D     Film: B

 

 

Filmmaker Hsiao-hsien Hou’s remake (or inspired version) of the 1956 classic The Red Balloon directed by Albert Lamorisse makes it’s way to DVD and serves as one of the better adaptations/remakes in recent memory.  The story circles around a single mother who is busy raising two children on her own, but can’t seem to find any time to herself with the variety of obligations, so she hires a student from the university in Paris to watch the children.  One of the kids (Simon who is 7) ends up taking a fascinating and wild ride with the babysitter as they are followed by a mysterious red balloon, the rest of the film is dedicated to the influence that the babysitter has not only on the kids, but on the mother as well. 

 

Since there are so many negative films out there and their portrayal of families I found this one more refreshing as it dealt with the realities of single parents, raising children, and the busy-ness that is consuming most of the world.  The film is sincere at its core, maybe a bit too sweet for some tastes, but I think its honest intentions serve the film well and Juliette Binoche dials in yet another brilliant performance as the mother. 

 

I think most people can relate to certain aspects of the film and despite this DVD’s lack of extras, will still warrant a viewing.  Presented in a widescreen 1.78 X 1 anamorphic transfer the films scenery looks good despite DVD limitations in resolution.  The style of the film is not lost with a very lush color palette.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 is nothing super impressive, but delivers all that can be expected with a compressed lossy soundtrack.  The film is highly dialogue driven, so this is a non-issue. 

 

This is one flight that most families need to take as it not only demonstrates the pace of life for many, but the need for stability, friendship, imagination, and other people in our lives to speak truth and reason into us!  A great gem!

 

 

-   Nate Goss


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