This is one of my all-time favorite films for all the reasons identified by other reviewers. Until recently, I had only seen the 154 minute version, which was released in theaters and on DVD. I just saw the original, uncut version, which is 193 minutes long, and it is markedly superior. Not only does it fill in many of the gaps that make the shorter version seem somewhat disjointed, it has several brilliant scenes that had me shaking my head wondering why they were cut from the theatrical/DVD release. I understand that Jia Zhangke is working on a director's cut of the film, which will hopefully do some necessary trimming, but also restore these scenes.
