i love hou hsiao-hsien films. they immerse me into a life that could have easily been mine. i feel the rhythms and pacing of this other life thru his cinematography, his long shots and an assumed intimacy.
FLIGHT OF THE RED BALLOON is no different from this approach. the difference is that his native mandarin/haka is replaced with french.
juliette binoche is amazing in (what i think) is her best role ever. best because i didn't notice juliette; i only noticed her character. just superb.
i also really enjoyed the asian female character. she had a grace and ease that made me wish i was her willowy self.