Long Day's Journey into Night

Long Day's Journey into Night is a hypnotic cinematic opus from 2018 by visionary filmmaker, Bi Gan. A Chinese neo-noir melodrama with genre-bending narrative style, the artistically shot film stars Tang Wei, Jue Huang, and Sylvia Chang.

The film opens in a dreamscape narrative, revolving around the protagonist Luo Hongwu, a melancholic figure portrayed with grace and charm by Jue Huang. Luo, a low-level mobster, embarks on a time-blurring journey to his hometown of Kaili in the post-industrial region of Southwest China after his father's death. His return is fueled by a haunting memory, a quest for a lost love, identified only by the name Wan Qiwen.

In this labyrinthine narrative, the story takes viewers on a deep plunge into Luo's sprawling oneiric memory, shifting between the past, present, and an alternate reality, told through vibrant visuals and meticulous filmmaking. Luo's journey back in time, specifically his tumultuous relationship with Wan Qiwen, played by the captivating Tang Wei, forms the emotional backbone of the film.

Long Day's Journey into Night is somewhat of an enigma, it doesn't really categorize itself into a standard genre, flirting with the conventions of film noir, psychological thriller, and even a touch of magical realism. Notably, the second half of the film is a continuous unbroken shot, a carefully choreographed 59-minute dream sequence that follows Luo through a series of encounters, achieving an emotional pay-off and demonstrating an innovative approach to storytelling.

Director Bi Gan's ambitious attempt in exploring the malleability of time and space through this work is indeed spellbinding. The enchanting visuals and the atmospheric soundscape narrate a tale of time and love lost, a meditation on memory, longing, and regret masked in a mesmerizing dreamscape world. Watching Long Day's Journey into Night feels like delving into the human subconscious.

A substantial part of the film's power lies in its visuals. It is a spectacle in every sense of the word, narrated with a variety of techniques from wide panoramic shots to intimate close-ups. The cinematography captures in vivid detail the beauty of the mist-laden mountains, decaying towns, and the stunning spectacle of a twilight-lit dreamscape. Add on to that the atmospheric score and sound design that complements the journey and exploration of Luo's complex emotional turmoil.

Tang Wei gives a sterling performance as Wan Qiwen, Luo's elusive love interest whose memory haunts him. Equally mesmerizing is Huang Jue’s performance as Luo, the very embodiment of melancholic longing. Their chemistry is palpable, their encounters leaving an indelible mark on the viewer's memory. Sylvia Chang also gives a grounded and nuanced performance, contributing to the fascinating tapestry of characters that populate the film.

Despite its non-linear narrative and experimental structure, the emotional resonance of Long Day's Journey into Night is hard-hitting. It touches on themes of lost love, regret, nostalgia, and the fleeting nature of time, leaving viewers to unravel its meaning. This film is an exercise in patient viewing and is sure to enthral fans of experimental cinema and viewers who appreciate subtleties and nuances.

The film implies a metaphorical journey into the night, the darkness of the past and the subconscious. Despite its title, the film shares no relation with the famous play by Eugene O'Neill but is a completely original exploration of longing and memory.

In summary, Long Day's Journey into Night is a dreamy, contemplative masterpiece from Bi Gan that rewards patient viewers with its luscious cinematography and emotional depth. It is a radical departure from traditional narrative formats, challenging the audience's perceptions of time and memory. It is not only a visual tour-de-force but also a deeply philosophical exposition on the nature of remembering, regret, and longing. With an incredible cast performance and masterful direction, Long Day's Journey into Night is a cinematic experience like no other.