Jin and Casey are two people cut in halves. Casey lives and breathe for architecture and wants to pursue her dream but she binds into her responsibility for her mother who is an recovering addict. Jin is visiting his estranged architect father who is in a coma. Jin is an translator for novels, he has no interest in architecture whatsoever. But when Jin and Casey meet they explore the city and its architecture while learning about each other, while talking about their lives and dreams.
Written and Directed by Kogonada, Columbus breathes into life that explores these two characters who are different from each other yet they find themselves in a position where they need each other to find a balance in their lives which have either halted or been through some rough patch.
The conversations between Jin and Casey are sophisticated with delicacy. Casey shows Jin her favorite buildings and what she loves about them. They explore each other through their ideas of life. Jin talks to Casey how she should pursue her dream, there is a scene where they argue about the opposition of their ideas.
Columbus feels peaceful throughout its runtime, every frame is beautifully resonated on the screen along with the architecture of the modern world. There are moments in the movie where it is just the characters going through their daily lives.
What I love about both of these characters is that how you can find yourselves in them. There is presence of reality through Jin and Casey. Even the conversations between Casey and her friend from work Gabriel are interesting to observe. I loved the scene where Gabriel explains from a book where he read that how a bookish person like him and her can look at a person who can play video games for hours but when it comes to reading that person can loose interest in matter of minutes. So what here is an interesting observation is that it is a matter of interest for each person and what they love to do.
John Cho as Jin and Haley Lu Richardson as Casey give one of the most beautiful and subtle performances. Richardson who plays Casey bring in a reflection of a person’s passion that breathes in and the responsibility that she has webbed herself in. Cho brings in an emotional care for his character trying to find a reason to stay for his father as he says in one scene that why he has to pause his life for him as he has never paused his life for him.
The bond of friendship between Cho and Richardson’s characters is so extraordinary to watch. I loved how the final scene between them plays out, it puts in a beautiful ode to it.
Columbus is definitely one of the most beautiful movie of this year. Kogonada finds a beautiful balance between the architecture and the bond between the two characters. It reflects a reality that provides a sense of responsibility towards your family. It points out to pursue your dream as eventually it what will make you happy in life. There is a simplicity in Kogonada’s storytelling that reminds you of Yasujirō Ozu. Elisha Christian’s cinematography is beyond extraordinary as every frame tells a story of its own. With strong performances from John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson, Columbus is a movie that will remain in your heart forever.
Rating 5/5
Cinema Through my Eyes 