Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2002)

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (film and novel)

One reviewer commented "it is exceptionally moving...and teary" while another critic said "the elements in the story push all the right buttons, but the buttons don't seem to be wired to anything."

I do not believe it is extremely teary nor disappointingly dull.  It is artistic in its literary allusions and appealing in the thirst (for books) within the plot. It is a piece of art that struck just the right balance between hope and despair.

Sure, the film may not be "insightful or unusual". However, it is subtle with its beautiful setting, subtle with many layers-- such as culture, humanities, the power of books, the changing world, etc--- and truly subtle in depicting human emotions powerfully. It is subtle enough it is worthy to be appreciated greatly.

After watching the film, I cannot wait to read the book (Director Dai wrote Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress before making a film of it).

You should definitely watch Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress if you are the type to sit down patiently and wait for the plot to develop.