I'll watch just about anything; I can appreciate almost any style of film. Having come across 'Taste of cherry' strictly because of the awards it has won, I did have some expectations. By the nature of its construction this certainly won't be for everyone, and potential viewers should be fully aware of what they're getting into before watching.
The premise is very simple: A man drives around, seeking someone willing to bury him after he commits suicide. It's not truly necessary to discuss narrative further, because there is little further narrative beyond the details of the drive and the conversations held. 'Taste of cherry' is as minimalist as one could get: there is no music save for what may be heard in passing on a radio. Outside of dialogue, sound is limited to the rumble of the car engine, and ambient sounds of the surrounding scenery. The film is comprised in no small part of many long, continuous shots, whether the camera is stationary for an exterior shot following the vehicle along a road, or within the vehicle as it focuses on the protagonist.
There's no dramatic twist or turn, and no overarching grand meaning. There's a kernel of wisdom imparted in one of the film's conversations, conveyed naturally in passing and not heavily emphasized. But at no point is there any added emotional weight beyond what a given viewer may derive individually from the film. Even the ending offers no resolution - open-ended, with the narrative concluding abruptly.
There are some gorgeous shots arranged or captured, including much footage simply of the hills outside Tehran. Save for the pure essence of a viewing experience, the imagery seen through the camera's eye is the most immediately fetching aspect of 'Taste of cherry.'
For all these reasons, the movie is undoubtedly a hard sell for a general audience. It's very much an art film, and likely to find favor only with viewers who are receptive to this style. This is famously on the late Roger Ebert's list of most hated films; I find no particular fault with the feature, and even I have a hard time engaging with it. Still, for anyone open to features of this kind, and fully aware of what to anticipate, 'Taste of cherry' is worth watching.
The premise is very simple: A man drives around, seeking someone willing to bury him after he commits suicide. It's not truly necessary to discuss narrative further, because there is little further narrative beyond the details of the drive and the conversations held. 'Taste of cherry' is as minimalist as one could get: there is no music save for what may be heard in passing on a radio. Outside of dialogue, sound is limited to the rumble of the car engine, and ambient sounds of the surrounding scenery. The film is comprised in no small part of many long, continuous shots, whether the camera is stationary for an exterior shot following the vehicle along a road, or within the vehicle as it focuses on the protagonist.
There's no dramatic twist or turn, and no overarching grand meaning. There's a kernel of wisdom imparted in one of the film's conversations, conveyed naturally in passing and not heavily emphasized. But at no point is there any added emotional weight beyond what a given viewer may derive individually from the film. Even the ending offers no resolution - open-ended, with the narrative concluding abruptly.
There are some gorgeous shots arranged or captured, including much footage simply of the hills outside Tehran. Save for the pure essence of a viewing experience, the imagery seen through the camera's eye is the most immediately fetching aspect of 'Taste of cherry.'
For all these reasons, the movie is undoubtedly a hard sell for a general audience. It's very much an art film, and likely to find favor only with viewers who are receptive to this style. This is famously on the late Roger Ebert's list of most hated films; I find no particular fault with the feature, and even I have a hard time engaging with it. Still, for anyone open to features of this kind, and fully aware of what to anticipate, 'Taste of cherry' is worth watching.