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

from Film Forum, 05/13/04

J. Robert Parks (Phantom Tollbooth) reviews Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter … and Spring. He says, "The film is rather a meditation on nature, faith, and the cycle of life—and a welcome meditation it is. The cinematography in Spring, Summer … is literally worth the price of admission. Most of Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter … and Spring is enriching and profound. Don't go expecting to see a dewy romance. Go expecting to be moved and awed."

Michael Leary (Matthews House Project) says the movie "is a great example of film as a spiritual exercise. It isn't a Western spirituality, and Kim's beautiful apology for the circularity of existence may strike one as lacking some key explanations when it comes full circle. But the film is rich with tones that and moments that are relevant in a variety of cultural contexts. At the very least, it is good to see such great cinematography put to use as a language of mysticism. And this is the good sort of mysticism, one that will lead you to reflection on many things that extend outside of the film itself."