Welcome, thanks for stopping by! This week for Review Stew I finally address a movie that has been collecting dust on my watchlist for ages. Pack your bags as we head to Indiana for…Columbus (2017).
Title: Columbus
Director: Kogonada
Released: Limited release in the United States on August 4, 2017
Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes
Available to stream on: Kanopy and Tubi
Casey (Haley Lu Richardson) is a recent high school graduate who works in her local library. While at work, she frequently engages in conversation and flirtatious banter with her co-worker, Gabe (Rory Culkin).
Through these conversations, she learns that obtaining a Masters of Library Science (MLS) is the only way to become a librarian. While Casey has her own hesitations about leaving to pursue college, Gabe doesn’t help matters by telling her that an MLS isn’t worth the effort.
Despite being at a crossroads and wanting something more, Casey learns to appreciate the space in and around her. She will often lose herself in admiring the local architecture. In fact, she’s practically memorized the local architecture tour and knows all the interesting facts about each building.
Casey is looking forward to a famous architect who is scheduled to speak. Unfortunately, the man suffers a stroke and winds up in a coma. The architect’s son, Jin (John Cho), that’s Jim with an “n”, flies in from South Korea to tend to his estranged and ailing father. While out on a smoke break, Casey bumps into Jin and the two strike up a conversation that leads to discussing architecture.
Is it possible for an appreciation of architecture to unlock a deeper understanding of one’s own self?
Well, let’s get the obvious out of the way first, Columbus (2017) looks absolutely stunning. So much so, that the cinematography from DP Elisha Christian manages to be both the best thing about this film as well as its own worst enemy.
Yes, the blocking really helped in allowing me to lose myself in each scene. However, I never found myself eager to refocus on the characters and their dialogue. Every character interaction winds up feeling like an afterthought.
For instance, when Casey is about to open up and explain what moves her about a certain building, we cut away and don’t hear her explanation. While this could have been an opportunity to further connect with her on an emotional level, we instead have an artsy shot from inside the building looking out.
Both Cho and Richardson are more than capable actors in their own right. Unfortunately, in Columbus (2017) they aren’t able to come across as authentic and/or genuine. Everything about the interactions between Jin and Casey feels unnatural and almost forced.
In fact, the one character that I found myself invested in was the one we see the least from, Rory Culkin as Gabe. I could’ve watched a whole movie based on Gabe and his life as an MLS graduate at the local library.
While I’m glad that I can finally cross Columbus (2017) off of my watchlist, I can’t say that I’ll be rushing to revisit it any time soon.
Have you seen Columbus (2017)? If so, what are your thoughts on it?
Leave a comment below or reach out on Bluesky and let me hear from ya!
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