we're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone. ~ orson welles haunting. meditative. can relationships save us from the alienation thrust upon us by the modern and urban conditions of life? can we create connections that will at least give us a lasting illusion that we aren't alone? ming-liang tsai never really gives us an answer in his slow and mostly dialogue free examination of three different lives dealing with this very alienation. but, i'm not sure that he is very hopeful that it can either. while the ending is qualitatively open ended, it seems like the director is leaning in one direction. in some ways, i agree with him. perhaps that is why i'm reading this film the way that i am. either way, this is a beautifully shot film with a rhythm that can be difficult to get into but very rewarding once you do. nobody here truly interacts with each other in the ways that normal humans do. but, it allows for a deeper and fuller exploration of the malaise and sadness that modern urban centers can create on within people. while, perhaps, not breaking much new ground in relation to this theme, it does an excellent job of exploring both the emotional side of this along with the more idea driven elements to this theme. this film will sneak up on you and really move you if you allow yourself to enjoy it on its own terms. there is something beautiful and haunting about this film that must be experienced to be explained. stick with this film. it has some really rewarding things to impart on you.