Watch Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring is a 2003 South Korean drama movie directed by Kim Ki-duk. The film revolves around an old Buddhist monk who lives in a tranquil and remote monastery surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains and the lake. The story is divided into five seasons, starting with Spring and ending with Spring, where each season symbolizes different stages of human life.

In Spring, we see the young child monk being educated in Buddhist teachings, mostly focused on morality and compassion. The serene natural surroundings add to the peacefulness and tranquility of the storyline, as we see the child's curiosity pique for the world outside his monastery. As he grows up, we see the various situations and stages during the Summer season, as he experiences physical love and intimate bonding for the first time, resulting in the mistake and the consequences that entail.

In the Fall season, the young monk, now a grown-up is tested by outside forces that aim to undermine him, both physically and emotionally. The season shows him weathering the trials and temptations of the world outside the monastery, which tests his convictions of Buddhist teachings. In the Winter season, we see the consequences of his actions come back to him as he is haunted by dark memories and regret. He begins to understand more profound lessons about the cyclical nature of life and the impermanence of existence.

The final Spring season is a culmination of all the previous seasons as the monk has reached the end of his journey. Now, an old man, he once again finds peace and contentment in serving others and seeking enlightenment. The movie takes a philosophical approach to life, teaching several key Buddhist principles such as morality, simplicity, and mindfulness of the present moment.

The film maintains a steady pace throughout, with each season flowing seamlessly into the next while maintaining its overarching storyline. The movie's tone is relatively subdued, allowing the beauty of nature and the surrounding environments to create the emotional atmosphere on their own.

The acting is solid and understated throughout the film, with naturalistic performances that contribute to the sense of realism for the viewers. The cinematography is breathtaking, with the picturesque landscape being captured in its full beauty. The editing is seamless, conjuring strong emotions that enhance the impact and meaning of each scene.

In conclusion, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring is not just a movie but an experience, providing the viewer with unique perspectives on life, love, religion, and death. Kim Ki-duk's direction enhances the beauty of nature and the film's profound message, promoting a peaceful and ethical way of living. This movie is recommended to anyone seeking to find understanding of the cyclic nature of existence and the quest for inner peace.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring is a 2003 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 85.