Columbus (2017) ★★★★

Reviewed on FHC 151

Anybody want to chip in on gas money and drive to Columbus immediately???

This movie is so WARM. Kogonada is slow and deliberate with his choices and asks for an incredible amount of patience on the part of the viewer. Full disclosure- I actually paused this movie a few weeks ago without the intention of finishing it, but I'm so glad I came back around. Haley Lu Richardson and John Cho are both wonderful here. Both struggle with the complexities of familial emotional dynamics and handle what they're given skillfully and with a total sense of naturalism. 

Bonus points for an INCREDIBLE soundtrack composed by "Hammock." Every track is just bathed in glowing synths and soft harmonic textures that warrant listening to this film with the attention of a Malick picture.

"Columbus" is truly a triumph of a directorial debut. I don't know how this flew under my radar back in 2017, but I'm happy I took the time to catch up with it.