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

Starring:Min Choi, Yeo-jin Ha, Dae-han Ji, Jong-ho Kim (II), Jung-young Kim (II), Young-min Kim, Yeong-su Oh (II), Ji-a Park, Jae-kyeong Seo, Min-Young Song
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Working miracles with only a single set and a handful of characters, Korean director Kim Ki-Duk creates a wise little gem of a movie. As the title suggests, the action takes place in five distinct episodes, but sometimes many years separate the seasons. The setting is a floating monastery in a pristine mountain lake, where an elderly monk teaches a boy the lessons of life--although when the boy grows to manhood, he inevitably must learn a few hard lessons for himself. By the time the story reaches its final sections, you realize you have witnessed the arc of existence--not one person's life, but everyone's. It's as enchanting as a Buddhist fable, but it's not precious; Kim (maker of the notorious The Isle) consistently surprises you with a sex scene or an explosion of black comedy; he also vividly acts in the Winter segment, when the lake around the monastery eerily freezes. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Spring, Summer, fall, Winter...and Spring.......2007-07-05

Magnificent and haunting. To be watched over and over again. You will be exposed to important lessons that you can apply everyday to your own life.
You will be enriched.

Crime and Punishment, Korean style.......2007-06-18

The most striking feature of this film, is its great visual beauty. It can be enjoyed simply for that.

However, the story is of utmost importance. Other reviewers here have questioned the authenticity of the Buddhist principles as portrayed here. Not having anything but a superficial knowledge of Buddhism, I can't comment on that. The concept of guilt and punishment here may be different from those of Christians who go more for forgiveness. These are all interesting subjects for discussion. The only thing I had a problem with was the death of the old monk. Mostly I held these philosophical questions in abeyance and simply enjoyed the film. There's plenty to like, even if you don't understand or agree with all of the points.

Cycle of Life.......2007-04-24

Easily one of the best films of that year, or previous year, or any year, "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring" is a tale of "cycle of life." The idea is not original but the result is amazing. It is perfection of simplicity, the story told by images more than by words. There are very few words but how much has been said. There are only two main characters but we are completely drawn to their life-long journey for the meaning and balance. Looking for inner peace, they encounter innocence, lust, passion, guilt, and redemption. It is a simply crafted story yet deep and subtle. It does what all movies try to do but only few have achieved - takes us out of our world, puts in another and keeps us there for days, weeks, and months.

IN SEARCH OF ENLIGHTENMENT!.......2007-04-16

This young Korean filmmaker has the power of genius. This tale represents step by step, the rise and fall of the myth with all its imposing intensity. The seasons establish gradually the growing up process, the inclusion of a childish cruelty with three animals, a fish, a frog and a serpent in tandem, which is far to be a simple coincidence, the sexual initiation, the lack of innocence, the sense of lust, the crime and finally the redemption and enlightenment And the spring will return with other child who will commit an unforgettable cruelty act that conforms us once more the enormous cycle of life.

Extraordinary in all the sense of the word. Every frame is zealous and carefully made, with a glorious depth of field, mesmerizing close up with arresting landscapes. That floating house on the lakes surrounded of sublime mountains and marvelous forests iconform a five star film all the way through.

Don' t miss it.!

Ponderous.......2007-04-02

Highly overrated, tedious, boring, dull. Only thing to recommend it is the setting.

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