Nathan Stancil

Perhaps as an artifact of cinema alone the film falls short; yet, to me, an important measure of a film is how often I reflect on it as the years pass. I saw this movie close to its release and was of the age and ilk to appreciate the idea of seeking escape in non-traditional manners such as this. For me, however, what I think about all these years later is not the then popular trope of international backpacking, Thai islands, or the film's storyline generally, but specifically the appalling lengths to which seemingly rational individuals will go to maintain their status quo. Maybe the cinematography or plot structure don't hold up as well as some-but it all paints a picture supporting a powerful metaphor and important lesson. If I'm thinking about a movie twenty years on, it has value to me-and potentially to others who may gleen a similar underlying meaning from this narrative. I recommend watching it.