The Color of Paradise (2000)

You won't be disappointed!

i must have seen a different film!!

Excellent adaptation.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

All the reviews so far already explains how a great movie is "Rang-e khoda". Thus, I want to mention another point. The original title "Rang-e khoda," actually means "The color of God." Modammad (Mohsen Ramezani) saved the bird and put it to its nest and he saw the color of God, Mohammad's grandmother saved the fish and she saw the color of the God. However, Mohammad's father couldn't see the tortoise, so he couldn't see the color of God, and he couldn't save neither the tortoise nor himself.

I feel quite happy joining the teary-eyed crowd of viewers from New York to Bangladesh who were emotionally overwhelmed by "Rang-e khoda". To try and turn a theme which is in itself heartbreaking into a strong and worthy piece of art is of course a risky business. Although I find other Iranian directors (let's say Mehrjui, Kiarostami, Panahi, Ghobadi) more interesting, I believe that Majidi is a gifted artist who perfectly knows how to make the most out of balancing on the brink of mawkish sentiment/pathos. His movies - i.e. the four I have seen - evidently look up to Italian neo-realism (there are even concrete points of contact between "Rang-e khoda" and "Ladri di biciclette", among others), oscillating between a sociological/ethnographic study, sociocritical statement, tearjerking melodrama, religious/spiritual fable and pure fairy-tale. For some (re)viewers, such an amalgam may be too much to bear (not only the otherwise outstanding sequence when Mohammad rescues a baby bird raises doubts about its credibility), but thanks to the director's cinematic treatment it offers moments where it reaches almost Chaplinesque quality.I don't feel an urge to comment on "Rang-e khoda"'s beautiful cinematography, flawless acting, rich soundscape, or sometimes spoonfeeding symbolism - others have done it before, and better. My last small remark concerns the annoying sound that structures the second half of the movie like an ominous refrain. One reviewer suggests it's wolves ; to me, it seems rather like a cry of some bird (a wild turkey, perhaps ??) regarded by the locals as a sign of ill luck.As to the quality of the Sony's disc, it's way better than the British and German ones (both with AR cut to 4:3 !).

This film is a perfect portrayal of humanity's search for (re)connection- through relationship with others (in this case the boy's Father)- and finally with something Sacred.This is not a 'feel-good' movie. No special effects or action. If you're in the mood to be entertained, this might not hit the spot.But if you're able to appreciate beautiful art that speaks to the essence of who we are as human beings, you really will be moved by this film.Very well directed and acted, beautifully filmed (it's so visually stunning that you will want to visit Iran after watching it!), and with an amazing soundtrack - one of the things that to this day stayed with me after watching it many years ago is the birdsong when the boy is in the forest.Haunting. Touching. Beautiful! Don't miss...

Although I've always known that the film is one of the strongest mediums of art, but I've never been deeply satisfied with any of the films I have ever watched. I've watched Bergman, I've watched Kurosawa. And they are really good. But still, for so long I have been waiting for a film that is truly satisfying to me with its touching sensitivity and deep insight. Finally I have found this film: The Color of Paradise (In fact, the original name is Rang-e-Khoda, The Color of God). A lot of symbols have been used masterfully and with simplicity, the outer has subtly expressed the inner and a profound truth has been depicted so artistically and heartily. The scenarios are very beautiful and the story seems so natural. I am deeply touched. And I am sure, this film will satisfy your heart and head at the same time.