He liu

Whether or not The River is, as some critics have claimed, Mr. Tsai's masterpiece, it is an excellent introduction to his oblique narrative style, his favored themes and his careful, lyrical visual sensibility.

This atmospheric story unfolds through leisurely shots that invite us not just to watch the characters, but to live and breathe along with them.

Uses loneliness and alienation as the primary emotional colors on a surprisingly expressive canvas.

Despite the inaction, the film culminates in a scene some viewers will no doubt find shocking.

So s-l-o-w-l-y paced it seems twice as long as its two-hour running time.

A perfect example of an "art" movie that is so lugubrious and soul-sucking that it's hell to sit through.

The absurdity floods the banks of the filmmaker's intentions.