Stick with it, this movie builds its emotional punch gradually, poetically. After I put it on, I began to wonder whether this was just a schmaltzy cutesy, light nothing, sellout effort by a hit and miss director. I even considered turning it off before the color scenes, but luckily I gave it a few extra minutes, and it paid off very well. It's one of my top three movies of the year. In fact, I think it's nearly perfect, but for that dull beginning. And I now believe that Zhang Yimou is more hit than miss. The direction was so good, that I see traces of movies from all times and places in it, including Chaplin and old Hollywood, Iranian cinema from the 90's, and Italian cinema from the 90's.
Other films that I think you will like if you loved this include: Jane Campion's "Bright Star", Michael Radford's "Il Postino", Terrence Malick's "The New World", any movie by Majid Majidi, but particularly "Baran", and maybe Zhang Yimou's earlier film "Huozhe".
To sum up: After a slow beginning, the movie builds and fills the heart and mind with sweet goodness, which is a pretty awesome way to feel.
Other films that I think you will like if you loved this include: Jane Campion's "Bright Star", Michael Radford's "Il Postino", Terrence Malick's "The New World", any movie by Majid Majidi, but particularly "Baran", and maybe Zhang Yimou's earlier film "Huozhe".
To sum up: After a slow beginning, the movie builds and fills the heart and mind with sweet goodness, which is a pretty awesome way to feel.