Director : Jia Zhangke
Cinematographer : Yu Lik Wai
Genre : Drama
Country : China
Duration : 131 Minutes
🔸 Mountains May Depart is an ambitious drama told across three different time periods, following the life of a woman and the people connected to her. The story begins in the late 1990s, moves into the 2010s, and then shifts into the future. This structure is one of the film’s strongest elements. It allows the audience to see how choices made in youth slowly shape lives over decades. The progression feels thoughtful and carefully planned, showing changes in love, money, family, and identity as China itself transforms.
🔸 Each time period carries a different tone and emotional atmosphere. The early section feels energetic and full of possibility, while the later chapters become colder and more distant. The performances are controlled and sincere, especially from the lead actress, who carries emotional weight across different stages of life. The film explores themes of globalization, separation, and cultural change in a quiet but meaningful way. The shifting aspect ratios also reflect the emotional and social transitions, adding visual meaning to the storytelling.
🔸 However, while the structure is strong, the emotional payoff is uneven. Some plot threads introduced earlier do not fully resolve in a satisfying way. Certain character arcs feel distant in the final chapter, and the emotional connection weakens. The last section, though interesting in concept, feels less powerful compared to the strong beginning. Mountains May Depart is a thoughtful and well-constructed film, but it does not fully deliver the emotional impact it promises.
Verdict : Above Average
DC Rating : 3/5
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