Review of After Yang (2022) by Justthinkin — 17 Mar 2022

Jean-Luc Godard once remarked that a story should have a beginning, a middle and an end, but not necessarily in that order. Which brings us to After Yang. The story begins in "the middle." Jake is a middle-aged man, stuck. He is lonely and dispirited. His small business is running on fumes. He seems depressed. He is withdrawing, self-isolating from his wife and daughter, both of whom are clearly aware that Jake has checked out emotionally. The family is getting along. They are pleasant with one another. They go through the motions. But the spark is gone. Perceptive viewers will sense trouble ahead. The film is the story of Jake coming back to life -- a story that begins with a shock of recognition, a voyage of discovery, a new perspective that brings with it a stunning acknowledgment of loss, and the beginning of healing. Jake sets out to fix Yang. Yang ends up fixing Jake, and the family. It is subtle, understated and beautifully done.

The "beginning" is glimpsed only in flashbacks of memory. The "end" is projected in hints. Most of the narrative is the voyage of discovery, in which Jake for the first time truly sees a life that had been lived right in front of him, unnoticed. This is a character study played out in the shadows of memory. The question, "Do you believe a cup of tea can contain a world" reminded me of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," the classic story by Ambrose Bierce, which explored how much can be contained in a fraction of a second. Come to think of it, that might make a worthy next project for Kogonada, a master of subtlety and indirection. This is a wonderful movie, the best so far of 2022. Kogonada raises more questions than he answers. He leaves mysteries to ponder. He does not insult viewers with simple answers to unanswerable questions. Jake's ceremonial care in making tea is a metaphor for Kogonada's treatment of grief, mystery and wonder: they swirl and fall, slowly and delicately, and the viewer must find his own meaning in the search. This is a contemplative film and will not be to everyone's taste, but let it steep slowly and you will be rewarded.