Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles is a lovely tale about a father who, knowing nothing about his son's adult life-aside form the fact that he is dying-decides to finish what he thinks his son has started with the utmost care and desire to complete. The film speaks about what people will do to regain the love they lost and how the journey is almost more precious than the destination.Mr. Takata leaves his life in Japan to see his estranged son who is has liver cancer and is dying. when he arrives at the hospital, he is coldly rebuffed bye his son. His daughter in law, Rie, gives him a tape that his son, Ken-ichi, made. With the tape he discovers that his son has a passion for Chinese folk opera and impulsively resolves to travel to china to film ''riding alone for thousands of miles'' for his son. It is interesting that Yimou never shows Ken-ichi, and it is necessary to give the audience the same feeling of longing that Mr. Takata feels, the same feeling of distance and separation. Also, refraining from free-flowing emotions evokes the strict composure of Japanese culture.Upon traveling to china to finish the video, Ken-ichi's father discovers that he is not the only man who has an imperfect relationship with his son. His journey takes him outside of his shell and into another world. After his wife died, he escaped by disappearing from his son's life and what he knew to be his own. By connecting another father and son he, in a way, heals himself.Much like life, the film is funny and endearing, although gloomy and depressing at times. I liked watching this movie because I felt relaxed and drawn into the story. The scenes where Mr. Takata is staring out into the ocean especially calm me. The rhythm of those scenes coupled with the sound of the beach gave me a the feeling of being there. I like the that the title is the title of the play that Mr. Takata journeys to capture. The plot of the play reflects his own situation because he also travels alone for thousands of miles to help someone (really himself more than his son). I recommend this film to those who enjoy subtlety in story-telling.

Too much emotions and pain in a single person, a story that gives a lesson of life. Takata is extremely herd by his wife's death that he plunges into loneliness and no-contact with his son Kenichi who is dying of cancer at a hospital, refusing to see his father. A journey that helps Takata rediscover the value of family through the grace of Yang Yang, a kid whose father is imprisoned for an ironic act of defense. The movie is all about self analysis and forgiveness; Takata stops been emotionless after he was told about Kenichi's death, but specially after having experienced the cultural values of a foreign country. The narrative is the only fact I felt a bit ambiguous; however, the real language that must be spoken in this film is the language of feelings and expressions.

Riding alone for 1000 miles gives a great example of all the standard relationships between father and son. Father have always loved their sons and Yimoy is trying to show this love form a father for his son. He did a great job og showing the father regret fot what he has done for his son. Also how he is going to make it up to his son. It is hard for a man to swallow his pride, but in this film Yimoy shows that even thought it is hard, but his son is more important to him him than his pride. also the sons understanding of his father pain at the end of the movie is admirable. The son knows that they both made mistake in their relationsship, but because of his love for his dad he tends to forget.

Of all the international films that I have had the opportunity to view thus far, this one has had the most reflective components. Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles shows us the importance love, maintaining good relationships with both family and friends and the concept of time.The story is simplistically executed but powerful nonetheless. Zhang Yimou has carefully crafted a stunning film portraying the differences between the Japanese and the Chinese culture. The use of cinematic mechanisms also contributes to the dramatic nature of the film.This film will leave you with lifetime lessons about life and its core principles. There are no magical or exaggerated computer representations but simple, pure and effective shots that leave striking images in your mind.