"Riding alone for Thousands of Miles" opens to a stark sounding voice, singing, almost screaming words we cannot understand to a tune that is utterly unfamiliar to the western ear. You don't know the meaning or the sentiment of what you hear, nor if it is any good. The song of Chinese Opera is incomprehensible to some when to others it is the representation of high art. The movie comes across much in the same way with the performances moving so closely along culture specific lines foreign to western perception. The personal journey of growth, the emotional turmoil and celebration of unconditional paternal love will be captivating for some and insipid for others. Regardless of you appreciation for a slow pace and stories about small social observations, "Riding alone" is well accomplished within its genre. The performances are impressive, the photography is beautiful and the story is compelling. This is the story: Gou-ichi Takata (Ken Takakura) is a man of few words. Widowed and estranged from his only son Ken-ichi, he receives a letter from his daughter in law Rie (Shinobu Terajima) informing him that his son has fallen ill. Following her plea to make peace, Mr. Takata arrives at the Tokio hospital, hoping for reconciliation but finding only refusal. As a token, Rie offers the old man a video tape of Ken-ichi's last film project and he begins to discover the world his son is drawn to: a devotee to classic Chinese opera, Ken-ichi has been documenting the performances of famed opera singer Li Jiamin. During his last visit to the Chinese Yunnan Province he urged Li Jiamin to perform the song 'Riding alone for Thousands of Miles', but not feeling well the singer declined and promised to be ready for his camera next year. Knowing his son won't ever be able to return to Yunnan, Mr. Takata leaves for China to film the opera performance for his dying son. So Mr. Takata's own 'Thousand Mile' journey begins. Determined, he navigates through the maze of Chinese village life, political institutions and social rule. With the help of translators, some more, some less accomplished, he is unaware of the comedic circumstances he creates but always meeting kindness and support.
Review of Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles
