Watch Long Day's Journey into Night

Long Day's Journey into Night is a Chinese art film directed by Bi Gan that was released in 2018. The movie stars Tang Wei, Jue Huang, and Sylvia Chang. It is the second feature film by Bi Gan, who previously directed Kaili Blues. Set in the small town of Kaili in Guizhou province, the movie tells the story of Luo Hongwu (played by Jue Huang), who returns to his hometown after the death of his father. Luo, who has been away from Kaili for many years, is haunted by the memory of a woman named Wan Qiwen (played by Tang Wei) who he fell in love with in his youth but who disappeared without a trace. As he retraces his steps and revisits old haunts, he comes across a puzzle box that holds the key to the missing woman's whereabouts. With the help of a woman named Wildcat (played by Sylvia Chang), Luo embarks on a journey that takes him deep into the dreamlike landscape of his past.

The film is divided into two parts, with the first half being a noir-inspired mystery and the second half an immersive and surrealistic journey into the subconscious mind. While the film is visually stunning, with breathtaking cinematography by Yao Hung-I and an evocative soundscape by Lim Giong, it is also a challenging work of art that is not for everyone. The movie has been described as a "puzzling and perplexing but also hypnotic and haunting experience."

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its use of long takes, particularly in the second half. The film's famous one-shot, 59-minute long dream sequence, which takes place in a movie theater and is shot entirely in 3D, has been hailed as a technical masterpiece. The sequence is a stunning display of technical virtuosity, with Bi Gan and his team throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the viewer, from swirling camera movements to intricate choreography to dazzling visual effects.

In terms of themes, the movie deals with memory and loss, love and longing, and the nature of reality. Much of the film's power comes from its dreamlike atmosphere, with characters and events blurring into each other in a way that is both surreal and emotionally resonant. The film is also deeply rooted in Chinese culture, with references to poetry, literature, and cinema woven throughout.

The acting in the movie is uniformly excellent. Jue Huang gives a strong and understated performance as Luo, embodying the character's melancholy and longing with nuance and subtlety. Tang Wei is mesmerizing as Wan Qiwen, her enigmatic presence casting a spell over the film. Sylvia Chang steals every scene she's in as Wildcat, a lively and quirky woman who serves as Luo's guide on his journey.

Long Day's Journey into Night has been praised by critics and cinephiles around the world, with many calling it a masterpiece. The film won the Best Cinematography award at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and has been hailed as a groundbreaking work of art that pushes the boundaries of cinema. It is a must-see for fans of experimental filmmaking and for anyone who is in the mood for a challenging and rewarding cinematic experience.

Long Day's Journey into Night is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 88.