The cinematography in this film blew me away. The black and white less so than the framing and camera’s movement — or lack thereof. So much of the story and atmosphere are conveyed through wide pans and long fixed compositions. The story is quite simple, whereas the emotions are complex, and the film does not explain its characters to the audience, and only occasionally and passingly engages in exposition of the setting or narrative conflicts.

It’s probably no surprise I cried. Perhaps instead of a “recommended” glow I should watermark the posters with a tear drop to indicate which ones turned me into a puddle. Ay, but it would be most of them.