Plot summary
Mr. Kuo and his wife Mrs. Lin cook for the city's sleepless. They work all night and sleep during the day, like many others in buzzing Taipei. Until one morning, riding back from the market, Mr. Kuo takes a different exit on the highway.
March 20, 2023 at 11:59 AM
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Arthouse at its best
This movie is almost in its own category. It seems sometimes like a documentary but it is not. There is no voice from the off and the protagonists dont talk much either. We are watching from the sidelines into the lives of Mr. Kuo and his Wife Mrs. Lin who run a small restaurant for the sleeples in Taipei. They open after most other people have closed already but at some point Mr. Kuo comes to a point where he decides to close for good and just drives off.
This is not a classic movie with much of a plot, it is not a documentary either. It can be seen as a very subtle commentary about lifes endless chores itself and about life in the shadows. The movie doesnt explain itself. You can watch it for the mood and the nice pictures but at the end there will be questions that we have to answear ourselfs.
Closing Time reminds sometimes of Chungkink Express or Fallen Angels by Wong Kar Wai or Movies by Aki Kaurismäki but it is much closer to real life. So close that it is hard to tell what is fiction and who is just a real person going about their business while the camera rolls by.
Arty documentation about Taiwan
The film captures the essence of life for the working class of Taiwan. The scenes are mostly still lifes, long shots of a specific angle. You will get a feeling for the people and county, while watching. If you have ever been in Taiwan you will be immediately beamed back.