Posted by elektratig [ 65.41.95.66 ] on April 20, 2005 at 20:18:30:
I'm not a sophisticated movie fan. Give me a mindless shoot-em-up and I'm happy. Bear that it mind when I tell you that I loved this utterly charming movie.
Set in the Gobi desert, the movie uses everyday Mongolians, not actors. Focusing on an extended farming family (4 grandparents, 2 parents and three kids) living in a yurt in the middle of days from anywhere, it tells the story of a first-time camel mother who has a difficult birth, producing a white (rather than tawny) colt, which she rejects. In accordance with local custom, the family sends for a musician, who sings and plays a two-stringed instrument to Mom and colt -- and it works, with the mother camel shedding spontaneous tears as her colt suckles for the first time!
The movie is an absolute delight -- and remember, I'm basically a Dirty Harry/Die Hard kind of guy. The stark scenery, the sandstorm, the delightful kids, the wise but loving grandparents, the trip to "town" (to hire the musician) (during which the younger son sees a television and is mesmerized), every part of it is compelling.
I got and watched the movie among adults -- all of whom loved it -- but it strikes me that it would be excellent for anyone with kids. In that event, there would be one, perhaps two scenes, to be aware of. One, which could spark a "birds and bees" discussion, is a scene of the mother camel giving birth. The family literally has to pull the colt out -- the difficult birth to which I referred. It's not gross, but it's not demure either. I suppose kids could also be upset by the scenes where the mother rejects the colt, with the colt bawling pathetically, and the mother nudging the colt away when it tries to suckle, but the kids may be consoled by telling them in advance that there is a very happy ending.
The Metacritic reviews suggest this is a semi-documentary -- the filmmakers apparently stumbled across this happening -- but don't let that deter you. It does not "feel" like a documentary. I keep using the word "charming", but I can't think of a better one.
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