Ni na bian ji dian (What Time Is It Over There?) (2001)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Though it requires patience to view, What Time Is It There?'s exploration of loneliness is both elegant and haunting.
Movie Info
Cast
as Hsiao-kang
as Shiang-chyi
as Mother
as Father
as Woman in Paris
as Man in Subway Station
as Prostitute
as Man at Phone Booth
as Man at Restaurant
as Himself/Man at the Cemetery
Critic Reviews for Ni na bian ji dian (What Time Is It Over There?)
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (8) | DVD (1)
This wonderful, one-of-a-kind movie hops from Taiwan to France, from tragedy to deadpan comedy and, in its mysterious conclusion, from the worldly to the otherworldly.
While its careful pace and seemingly opaque story may not satisfy every moviegoer's appetite, the film's final scene is soaringly, transparently moving.
Tsai's confidence in the deep power of silence drives home the film's inner convictions. Its surface works coolly, intriguingly and, happily, feebly in opposition to the heart of the matter.
At times, Tsai's approach makes viewing this film like watching paint dry, but what a sublime design it makes.
Alternates between deadpan comedy and heartbreaking loneliness and isn't afraid to provoke introspection in both its characters and its audience.
Mr. Tsai is a very original artist in his medium, and What Time Is It There? should be seen at the very least for its spasms of absurdist humor.
Audience Reviews for Ni na bian ji dian (What Time Is It Over There?)
Despite its evocative visuals, it feels repetitious to see Tsai explore once again his favorite themes of loneliness and emptiness but in a film that is too puzzling and lacks in consistency - especially with regard to the character's odd obsession with clocks and a woman he barely meets.
Super Reviewer
A girl is going to Paris. A watch seller. A cake as a gift. Two people connected by loneliness. Subtle humor, sadness, minimal dialogues, slow movie.
This absolutely great film also brings an homage to Truffaut and a small part of Jean-Pierre Léaud. You don´t need to know The 400 blows, but if you do, you will definitely have another view of "What Time Is It There?".
Super Reviewer
I slow film about loss, emptiness, loneliness and the need to fill this up, to be somewhat in control and not being able to. Very delicate.
Super Reviewer
Ni na bian ji dian (What Time Is It Over There?) Quotes
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