The Flight of the Red Balloon

A Taiwanese director, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, makes a movie about a French family based on the 1956 French film, The Red Balloon.

So, is it a French movie? Or an Asian movie?

Whichever, it didn't speak to this American.

The movie peaks into the life of a French mother and son and their Chinese film student nanny but never gives us enough.

One reviewer called it austere and I have to agree.

Where the Red Balloon was magical, this is merely mundane.

If you're into minimalist, art-house cinema, this will be right up your alley. Otherwise, it's a bit of a bore.